Emerald ash borer taking toll on trees in Lexington

Trees will be removed from median on Man O’ War Boulevard and Richmond Road

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 11, 2014) — The city of Lexington will soon begin removing and replacing more than 40 ash trees, infested with the emerald ash borer, from two locations in town. The trees, either dead or dying, will be removed from the median on Man O’ War Boulevard near the Hamburg shopping center and from the median on Richmond Road. The trees will be replaced in the fall.

Lexington is now in its fourth year of the infestation.

“We are near the peak of the emerald ash borer outbreak,” said John Saylor, a city arborist. “Ash trees that are showing signs of damage need to be removed in a timely manner because they can become brittle and unsafe.”

The emerald ash borer is a small green insect that tunnels its way into the trunks of ash trees and feeds on the inner layers of the tree. The tunneling eventually cuts off the flow of water and other nutrients to the upper branches and canopy of the tree.

Early in an infestation it is possible to treat the tree. If left unchecked, it can become too late to protect the tree. Ash trees die very quickly, and limbs can break off within months of first being infested. In some cases, the entire tree can snap off near its base.

The city will be removing these ash trees before they become a hazard to the public. The city will also be removing ash trees along other parts of Man O’ War Boulevard later this summer.

If you have an ash tree, it is crucial to take action now. Uninfected ash trees must be treated to prevent the emerald ash borer is a small green insect that tunnels its way into the trunks of ash trees and feeds on the inner layers of the tree infestation. If your ash tree has branches that are noticeably dead or in the process of dying, it may be time to remove it. The potential for property damage will increase with time.

For more information on the emerald ash borer is a small green insect that tunnels its way into the trunks of ash trees and feeds on the inner layers of the tree, check out lexingtonky.gov/eab or call LexCall at 3-1-1 or 425-2255.