BRODHEAD - Brodhead is applying for a state grant to cut down ash trees on city property even before the emerald ash borer arrives.
The city has applied for a state forestry grant in anticipation of the arrival of the beetle that feeds on and kills ash trees.
"I like to say, 'If it hits,' but the experts say it's going to be, 'when,'" said Rich Vogel, supervisor of the public works department.
That's why the city is applying for a $5,000 grant from the state Department of Natural Resources. Additional grants could follow.
The emerald ash borer has been found in southeastern and southwestern Wisconsin and northcentral Illinois but so far not in southcentral Wisconsin.
How many ash trees in Brodhead would be cut is unknown, but the plan would be to start next year and do a little each year, Vogel said.
"Our (first) concern is trees out there that probably should be removed anyway. They're getting to the age of coming to the end of their lifespan," he said.
It's a good idea to remove trees with dead branches rather than wait until you have to, he said.
The city would wait as long as it could to remove nice trees in good shape.
Part of the grant would be used to set up a citizen forestry committee to keep better track of the condition of city trees, he said. The city doesn't know how many terrace trees it has-"that's part of the inventory that we want to use some of this money for," he said.
A quick count found about 500 ash trees, which is make up 20 to 30 percent of terrace trees, he said.
Brodhead probably has a slightly higher number of ash trees compared to other communities, he said. A lot of ash trees were planted after Dutch elm disease struck decades ago because the city wanted replacement trees that would grow at a decent rate and provide a nice canopy.
The emerald ash borer beetle feeds on the inner bark of ash trees, which eventually causes the tree to starve and die. Communities typically budget only a small amount for tree removal annually, so when the beetle moves in, "suddenly you have a 20 percent increase for two, three, four years in a row of dead trees," Vogel said.
"So to try to prevent a big hit on the budget, you try to get rid of some of those older trees," he said.
The wood from ash trees would have more uses if trees are cut before becoming infested, he said.
"We have no idea what kind of restrictions would be put on the wood once it's infected," he said.
New tree planting and education would be part of the grant's use.
"I think when the public is aware of what the community possibly is facing, it will be something they'll want to work with us on," he said.
He acknowledges cutting down mature trees around homes can be a frustrating issue.
"Everybody hates to lose a tree you've had shading your house for 20 years," he said.
- Gina Duwe is a reporter for the Janesville Gazette.
The city has applied for a state forestry grant in anticipation of the arrival of the beetle that feeds on and kills ash trees.
"I like to say, 'If it hits,' but the experts say it's going to be, 'when,'" said Rich Vogel, supervisor of the public works department.
That's why the city is applying for a $5,000 grant from the state Department of Natural Resources. Additional grants could follow.
The emerald ash borer has been found in southeastern and southwestern Wisconsin and northcentral Illinois but so far not in southcentral Wisconsin.
How many ash trees in Brodhead would be cut is unknown, but the plan would be to start next year and do a little each year, Vogel said.
"Our (first) concern is trees out there that probably should be removed anyway. They're getting to the age of coming to the end of their lifespan," he said.
It's a good idea to remove trees with dead branches rather than wait until you have to, he said.
The city would wait as long as it could to remove nice trees in good shape.
Part of the grant would be used to set up a citizen forestry committee to keep better track of the condition of city trees, he said. The city doesn't know how many terrace trees it has-"that's part of the inventory that we want to use some of this money for," he said.
A quick count found about 500 ash trees, which is make up 20 to 30 percent of terrace trees, he said.
Brodhead probably has a slightly higher number of ash trees compared to other communities, he said. A lot of ash trees were planted after Dutch elm disease struck decades ago because the city wanted replacement trees that would grow at a decent rate and provide a nice canopy.
The emerald ash borer beetle feeds on the inner bark of ash trees, which eventually causes the tree to starve and die. Communities typically budget only a small amount for tree removal annually, so when the beetle moves in, "suddenly you have a 20 percent increase for two, three, four years in a row of dead trees," Vogel said.
"So to try to prevent a big hit on the budget, you try to get rid of some of those older trees," he said.
The wood from ash trees would have more uses if trees are cut before becoming infested, he said.
"We have no idea what kind of restrictions would be put on the wood once it's infected," he said.
New tree planting and education would be part of the grant's use.
"I think when the public is aware of what the community possibly is facing, it will be something they'll want to work with us on," he said.
He acknowledges cutting down mature trees around homes can be a frustrating issue.
"Everybody hates to lose a tree you've had shading your house for 20 years," he said.
- Gina Duwe is a reporter for the Janesville Gazette.