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City outlines emerald ash borer injections and small timber‑harvest plans
Summary
Forestry staff described a three‑phase, color‑coded injectable treatment schedule using mamectin benzoate for ash trees, a backlog of roughly 100–200 group‑1 trees after 85 treated last year, and small, plan‑driven timber harvests on city forest properties that are intended for stand health and fire prevention rather than revenue.
Forestry staff told the board they plan a multi‑year injectable treatment program to protect qualifying ash trees from emerald ash borer (EAB) and discussed small timber harvests on city forest properties.
EAB treatment: Staff explained they’ve painted trees with blue, pink and green dots to identify three treatment groups and expect the active ingredient mamectin benzoate to provide up to three years of protection in many cases. They described a backlog of roughly “a little under 200” trees associated with group 1 that did not get treated last year and said the program will move those into this year’s schedule while then settling into a regular three‑year rotation. Staff emphasized certified in‑house applicators will do injections and that certification comes via the State Board of Pesticide Control (core pesticide exam, outdoor ornamental specialty and board exams).
Timber harvests and red‑pine issues: The division also described planned, prescription‑based timber harvests at the Roland Perry City Forest and the Winterport Pit property. Staff said most harvests are designed for stand health and fire prevention; only the Winterport property is part of a state commercial program and has potential to generate modest revenue (staff estimated less than $5,000 for a harvest). The board discussed red‑pine monoculture problems at a planted site (planted in the early 1990s), localized storm and ice damage, invasive understory species and the need for selective removals or crown reductions rather than wholesale eradication.
Why it matters: The EAB plan aims to preserve ash trees where practical while focusing removals and planting diversity to increase long‑term canopy resilience; timber harvests are being framed as management actions for forest health and public‑education opportunities rather than revenue generators.
Next steps: Staff will proceed with the color‑coded injections, monitor trees across the three‑year sequence, meet with contracted harvestors for prescribed cuts and provide public outreach and educational signage where harvests occur.
