———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Chotiner, Melissa <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, Jan 14, 2016 at 12:02 PM
Subject: Please share with RCHCA – tree removal
Hello:
I am contacting you on behalf of Montgomery Parks with important information I hope you will share with the members of your communities and organizations.
This email is a follow-up to our initial communication in the fall about this subject.
Montgomery Parks Arboriculture staff have assessed ash trees along Rock Creek Trail and Beach Drive which are infested by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The infestation is moving quicker than we originally predicted. Symptoms that signal the rapid decline of these trees are excessive woodpecker damage and unexpected breaking and falling limbs. Montgomery Parks is most concerned with trees and limbs that could compromise the safety of park patrons on the trail or parkway. To address this safety concern, park tree crews are removing trees that are hazardous to the parkway and trail. Tree crews are currently removing trees at Beach Dr. and Connecticut Ave. We anticipate additional tree removal to begin within the next 4-6 weeks between Garret Park Dr. and the DC line. There are approximately 1000 ash trees in this area of Rock Creek that will need to be removed. There are hundreds of other ash trees that are not within striking distance of the trail which will not be addressed. Please expect unplanned temporary trail and parkway closures as we address this safety concern. Montgomery Parks is committed to maintaining tree canopy cover in these environmentally sensitive areas and will be replanting in areas where ash trees are removed.
Please see the attached FAQ document and flyer about EAB [NOTE: Flyer contents are copied & pasted below! -JP]. For more information, please see www.MontgomeryParks.org/EAB. You may also contact Colter Burkes with any questions or comments at [email protected].
Background on EAB
EAB is a non-native invasive beetle from Asia that feeds on the inner bark of the Ash tree causing the tree to die within 1- 3 years. The bug was detected in Montgomery County (2012) and is now starting to show signs of the damage to ash trees. Ash is a predominant tree species in many of Montgomery Parksā Stream Valleys and developed parks.
Montgomery Parks is in the process of inventorying areas most impacted by EAB and creating a schedule to treat and remove trees that are affected in order to address this public safety and environmental issue.
Sincerely,
Melissa Chotiner
***
Emerald Ash Borer in Montgomery Parks
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a non-native invasive beetle from Asia that feeds on the inner bark of the ash tree causing the tree to die within 1 ā 3 years. The bug is infesting all ash trees in Montgomery County and throughout Montgomery Parks. Parksā staff are in the process of addressing the issue with an aggressive plan of action which includes inventorying of trees and removal of hazardous ones. More details are available at www.MontgomeryParks.org/EAB.
Frequently Asked Questions on Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
Q: What are the signs of EAB and what impact will it have on ash trees in Montgomery Parks?
Trees infested with EAB will feature several symptoms (which are very difficult to detect until the tree is heavily infested). Symptoms include increased woodpecker activity, 1/8ā D-shaped holes in the bark, epicomic sprout growth, cracks or splitting of the bark, serpentine galleries under the bark. EAB will cause infested ash trees to die within 1 ā 3 years. An estimated 2-4% of trees in Montgomery county are ash mainly consentrated in streams valleys. All three native species of ash, the green, white and black are affected. All ash trees greater than Ā½ā diameter are at risk.
Q. What is Montgomery Parks doing about EAB?
Montgomery Parksā Arboriculture Section staff have begun removing dead ash trees that present the greatest risk to the safety of park patrons. At the same time, staff is inventorying areas with the densest populations of ash to prioritize the schedule for removal. Updated information of tree removal locations will be available at www.MontgomeryParks.org/EAB.
Q. How can I help?
Park visitors are encouraged to report dead, hazardous and/or infested trees to Montgomery Parksā Service Center by phone 301-670-8080 or email [email protected]
Q. Will Montgomery Parks replace trees where ash are removed?
Areas where Ash trees are removed will be assessed for replacement trees. Maintaining the tree canopy is very important to Montgomery Parks.
###