Wilmette, IL Will Fell Nearly 3,000 Ash Trees In Try To Stop Emerald Ash Borer - Tribune

Wilmette is treating the nearly 2,900 ash trees on public grounds like the remnants of Christmas at a post-holiday sale: Everything must go. In a drastic measure highlighting just how serious a threat many Illinois officials consider the ravenous emerald ash borer beetle to be, last month the village began cutting down ash trees--some sick but most healthy--that were planted in parks or along public parkways.

Ash trees on private property are not affected--yet. Village officials are waiving fees homeowners have to pay for tree removal and are asking state and federal governments to help residents and municipalities with the costs.

By 2012 the village plans to spend an estimated $2.5 million to remove and replace all 2,855 of its public ashes in an aggressive attempt to stymie the metallic-green pest. Nearby Winnetka says it is developing a plan to follow suit. But Evanston, the third North Shore community affected by the ash borer so far, says it is loath to cut down healthy trees.

Though some experts have said cutting down all ashes within a half-mile of an infested tree is the only way to prevent further infestation, the state has not made an official recommendation. Officials are evaluating the results of tree surveys conducted last year before determining the best way to combat the ash borer, said Warren Goetsch, the bureau chief of environmental programs with the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

EDIT

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0701040016jan04,1,6185385.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

It just doesn't seem possible to actually wipe out species where they've established a strong presence in places where they have not naturally developed.

Lost the elm...........
Losing the sugar maple...........
Now losing the ash.

Boy, we're on a roll, aren't we.

That's ok folks, when it gets really hot everywhere the Mexican Fan Palms will be happy to take over every square inch of available dirt.

I hadn't heard that.

I have read that the hemlocks are in trouble.