Street Tree Commission Members
Mayor Mark Mason
Tom Karr
Yvonne Dishon
Margaret Wienholts
Bill Beetz
Sheila Beetz
Terri Altman
Bob Brown
Inquiries:
[email protected]
DNR Division of Forestry Urges Caution
Around Dead and Dying Ash Trees
COLUMBUS, OH – As fall color moves across the state, more hikers and hunters will be spending time in Ohio’s forests. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) reminds all outdoor enthusiasts to be cautious of dead or dying ash trees that may now be present in Ohio’s forests and landscapes.
“Standing dead ash trees create a safety hazard for hunters and hikers, as brittle limbs and trees trunks are easily broken or blown over,” said Robert Boyles, Ohio’s state forester. “This is a simple reminder for outdoorsmen and women to be alert to their surroundings as they enjoy Ohio’s forests and woodlands.”
The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), a wood-boring beetle native to Asia, was discovered in the Detroit area in 2002, likely accidentally introduced in solid wood packing material, and was then discovered in northwest Ohio in 2003. Emerald ash borer (EAB) larvae feed beneath the bark of ash trees, preventing the ability of a tree to move water and nutrients. Once an ash tree becomes infested with EAB, it usually dies in less than five years.
EAB is present throughout Ohio, most of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, and it has killed hundreds of millions of native ash trees in North America. Various government agencies, non-governmental organizations and universities are conducting management and research to reduce the impact of EAB and implement restoration activities, including chemical treatments, biological controls and breeding genetically resistant ash trees.
The ODNR Division of Forestry offers the following advice:
• People should identify dead and dying ash trees around their homes and in their community that have the potential to harm people or property.
• Contact a certified arborist at treesaregood.org to identify ways to manage the risk associated with dead and dying ash trees in the yard.
• Exercise caution when entering a wooded area and be aware of any standing dead trees nearby, especially in windy conditions.
• This caution is important in urban environments as well, since many urban areas had been planted with ash trees over the years.
• EAB eggs, larvae and adults, as well as other plant pests and diseases, can be moved on or in firewood, so minimize the movement of firewood. “Burn it where you buy it,” and be aware of all county quarantines on firewood or any plant material.
• For more information on plant pest quarantines, contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Division of Plant Health at agri.ohio.gov/plant or 614-728-6400.
The ODNR Division of Forestry works to promote the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands, visit forestry.ohiodnr.gov.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
For more information, contact:
Matt Eiselstein, ODNR Office of Communications
614-265-6860
Tom Macy, ODNR Division of Forestry
614-265-6705
Combating the Emerald Ash Borer
If residents have ash tress they should contact a certified arborist to inspect the trees. If there are signs of EAB, then take action to save the tree, if feasible, or have it removed. Dead tree limbs can be hazardous. Since tree work is very dangerous, hiring a professional tree service is best. And, if the ash tree is removed, replant a new tree. Again, the advice of an arborist is important to selecting the best replacement.
Finally, if the hot and dry weather continues, residents and businesses can help save the tress—all trees—by watering them about an inch a week. That will help ensure that the Village maintains the health of its urban forest.
For more information about the Emerald Ash Borer and what to do about it, please visit http://emeraldashborer.info/
For a listing of trees planted on Lockland streets click here
Learn fun facts, care tips and much more about trees right here. Be sure to check back often for new articles.
Fun Facts About Trees
General Facts About Trees
- Trees keep our air supply fresh by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.
- In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven up to 8700 miles.
- Trees provide shade and shelter, reducing yearly heating and cooling costs by 2.1 billion dollars.
- Trees lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves.
- The average tree in metropolitan area survives only about 8 years!
- A tree does not reach its most productive stage of carbon storage for about 10 years.
- Trees cut down noise pollution by acting as sound barriers.
- Tree roots stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
- Trees improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water as well as protecting aquifers and watersheds.
- Trees provide protection from downward fall of rain, sleet, and hail as well as reduce storm run-off and the possibility of flooding,
- Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife.
- Trees located along streets act as a glare and reflection control.
- The death of one 70-year old tree would return over three tons of carbon to the atmosphere.
Tree Biology
- Trees are the longest living organisms on earth.
- Trees and other plants make their food through a process called photosynthesis.
- The inside of a tree is made of cork, phloem, cambium, and xylem.
- The xylem of a tree carries water from the roots to the leaves.
Trees and the Environment
- Trees renew our air supply by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.
- The amount of oxygen produced by an acre of trees per year equals the amount consumed by 18 people annually. One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year.
- One acre of trees removes up to 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
- Shade trees can make buildings up to 20 degrees cooler in the summer.
- Trees lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves.
Record Setting Trees
- One of the tallest soft wood trees is the General Sherman, a giant redwood sequoia of California. General Sherman is about 275 ft or 84 m high with a girth of 25 ft or 8 m.
- The 236 ft or 72 m high Ada Tree of Australia has a 50 ft or 15.4 m girth and a root system that takes up more than an acre.
- The world’s tallest tree is a coast redwood in California, measuring more than 360 ft or 110 m.
- The world’s oldest trees are 4,600 year old Bristlecone pines in the USA.
- The cottonwood tree seed is the seed that stays in flight the longest. The tiny seed is surrounded by ultra-light, white fluff hairs that can carry it on the air for several days.