07/25/2020
Hello ATHA Folks,
My name is Peter Hynes. I'm a 23-yr resident of Arlington Terrace and former President of this ATHA assoc.
This message is addressed to anyone who wishes to save their Ash Trees in our neighborhood. Many of you are newer to the neighborhood, so this may help you make your decision if you have an ash tree.
First off, I hope everyone is fighting off the CV19 bug safely and surviving these truly strange times.
Back in 2012, along with six other AH neighborhood associations, I helped lead a program to save our 250 ash trees. Time has marched on and I stepped down as ATHA President a couple years ago, but I am still an "adjunct advocate" for fighting against another nasty bug, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
For the uninitiated, the EAB is a foreign bug that has no natural enemies in the states. It came to us via shipping palettes in Michigan and has spread across much of the entire nation, killing all types of ash trees. This is akin to the Dutch Elm Tree devastation years ago.
When AH subdivisions were built, developers lined all of our parkways with fast-growing green ash trees. These 50-year-old giants now create arching, shady canopies across many of our streets. Along with beautifying our neighborhoods with bright yellow leaves in the fall, ash trees keep our houses (and mutual streets) cool in the summer, buffer noise pollution, soak up incredible amounts of rain water and contribute to the value our our neighborhood homes. Who doesn't want to live on a nice, shady street in the summer?
Through an insightful AH village program and grass roots efforts starting in 2012, ATHA residents initially treated and saved 125 of the 250 ash trees in our neighborhood. AH had about 13,000 ash trees. Numbers are down considerably because all cannot be saved.
Since then, there has been some necessary attrition and replacement - via a program called "urban forest diversity." But the fact remains that while most of the ash trees in the country have succumbed to the EAB, those that have been injected with a formula called TREE-AGE, have survived. (http://www.emeraldashborer.info/documents/Multistate_EAB_Insecticide_Fact_Sheet.pdf. Or google it yourself.)
What does the EAB do? EAB lay their eggs in the cambium of the ash tree. Its larvae snake their way through this vital, living portion of the tree just under the bark, effectively choking it of any nutrients and water. In 1-2 yrs, it dies off and can become dangerous with brittle limbs. Each year, the village Dept of Forestry checks the parkway ash trees and removes any dangerous threats. Treated trees have remained.
How to treat? A licensed arborist drills tiny holes around the radius of the tree and injects Tree-age into the cambium of the tree, eradicating the EAB. Treatment lasts for 2-years. Our neighborhood has treated 4x over 8 years - every even year- since 2012. I just treated again this week for the fifth time. My ash tree is still thriving and providing my house with much welcomed shade during this 90-degree weekend.
So, once again, it's time to treat your ash trees. Arlington Heights village is no longer assisting residents financially, but you're free to do what you wish with your ash tree. Treat it or not. Treat with whichever company you wish. I'm informing you that we have again set up a deal with Trugreen as a preferred ATHA vendor. I have no affiliation. I just know their program has worked for us. Trugreen will honor the same price as all previous treatments. Again, this lasts for 2-years. If interested,
contact Brian Wallace. 224-204-4610
[email protected]
I realize that some people are struggling to survive with closed businesses or unemployment. I've been in your shoes and I wish you well. This message is directed towards anyone who has the means and desire to save their ash trees. It's approximately $100-200 every two years per tree. In the past, some residents without trees have chipped in to assist others with multiple trees. If you're in need of assistance, perhaps a neighbor who shares the benefits will help you out.
Lastly, thanks for your patience if you've made it through this entire message. If you want to talk more about it with me, I'm happy to discuss. Thanks to all who have helped in the campaign to SAVE OUR ASH!
Be safe, wear a mask, wave to your neighbors (Who knows what others have been through these past few months. It can't hurt to be nice.) and God bless!
~ Pete
Here's peak at our beautiful trees in the fall...
