District hears ash borer briefing; staff urges continued treatment to preserve mature tree canopy

Sean Dickerson briefed the Vanderburgh County Solid Waste Management District Board on the status of emerald ash borer in the county, urging continued treatment to protect established canopy.

Dickerson told the board that previous treatments have helped protect 151 trees from emerald ash borer and that the pest is now present in the area. He described treatment recommendations from professionals: treating trees every two years for about a 10-year period after infestation, and reducing to every three years once pest pressure declines. "Those treatments have taken place, and that helped to protect a 151 trees from the emerald ash borer," he said.

During questions, board members asked whether the treatments were successful and how costs compare with planting new trees. Dickerson said treatments have been successful for medium and large trees and estimated treatment costs from about $70 for a medium tree to roughly $200–$300 for a very large ash tree; by contrast, removing a dead ash tree, he said, could cost thousands of dollars.

Dickerson said the district selectively targets trees and sites the board prioritizes—parks and cemeteries with high canopy value—rather than treating mixed stands where canopy loss would be less noticeable. He said treatments must be applied professionally and that the district contracts the work to outside vendors.

Board members voiced support for continuing the program to preserve mature trees. Dickerson also reviewed recent and upcoming planting efforts and thanked volunteers and partners who helped expand canopy across several sites.

Next steps: staff will continue outreach and selective treatment and return with updates on costs and planting schedules.