Contracted crews return to campus this month to remove several ash trees, part of facilities planning and management's phased plan in preparation for the arrival of the devastating emerald ash borer.
About the emerald ash borer
The emerald ash borer was first discovered in Michigan, a suspected hitchhiker in wooden packaging from Asia. The "green menace" swept across portions of the upper Midwest, leaving no ash tree unaffected. The insect has been found on a Mississippi River island on the eastern edge of Allamakee County in northeast Iowa.
Last winter, 36 ash trees were removed and more than 40 shade trees were planted. This time, 70 ash trees located in the north and west portions of campus and near the residence halls are scheduled for removal. Approximately 26 dead and dying pine and spruce trees also will be removed. A variety of replacement species will be planted in the spring.
"I'm looking forward to planting a diverse mix of shade trees in the University Village residential area, where 70 percent of the existing shade trees are ash species," said Rhonda Martin, FPM campus landscape architect.
Work began Jan. 16 and will continue up to three weeks, weather permitting. The tree trunks will be used in FPM's "treecycle" program. The lumber is processed and returned for furniture projects, designed and created by students, for campus buildings. The remaining parts of the trees are chipped into mulch for use in planting beds.
