Emerald ash borer update

The removal of ash trees infested with the emerald ash borer beetle (EAB) located in the Boulder County right-of-way will begin this October. If you’ve been notified that any of your ash trees are subject to removal, now is the time to act.

Trees that have been marked with a blue ‘X’ will be removed starting this October, and then more removals will occur throughout 2019-2020. In the spring, Boulder County also marked trees with orange plastic bands, notifying adjacent residents that marked trees would be removed if not adopted. Information about adoption was also left with residents. Adoption of a tree entails paying for the tree to be treated every two years for the life of the tree.

According to the Urban Tree Alliance (www.urbandtreealliance.org), the average cost of treating a tree with a 40-inch circumference would be about $130 every two years. The cost of removing a tree that size would be approximately $538, and the estimated annual economic benefits of preserving the tree—carbon storage, carbon sequestration, stormwater interception, air pollution removal, reduced heating/cooling costs, and property value increase—are approximately $129.

Currently, Boulder County residents have adopted 200 trees out of the 667 marked for removal. Residents in the unincorporated Boulder County areas of Gunbarrel & Niwot have adopted and treated approximately 135 trees, with 150 trees still on the removal list. Michelle Ferguson, Emerald Ash Borer Coordinator for Boulder County Parks and Open Space, encourages residents that have a tree marked with a blue ‘X’ to contact her as soon as possible.

Not all trees will be adoptable, as some are in poor health or in bad locations. Ferguson can evaluate marked trees for treatability, and answer questions about adopting trees. She can be reached at 303-678-6048 or [email protected].

Additional information and updates are found at www.bouldercountyeab.org.