CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the award of Option Year Three to Contract 17-210, Emerald Ash Borer Insecticidal Treatment, to The Davey Tree Expert Company, for an amount not to exceed $300,000
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DEPARTMENT: Department of Public Works
SUBMITTED BY: Richard Dublinski, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
In 2012, the City implemented a comprehensive Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) management program consisting of four major components:
1. the annual inspection of ash trees to assess their health,
2. the treatment of healthy ash trees,
3. the removal of poor ash trees that no longer benefit from treatment, and
4. the replacement of removed ash trees with a diversity of species.
This comprehensive management program has proven to be an efficient, cost-effective method to manage the EAB. Since treatment began in 2012, nearly 80% of the trees have survived.
As part of DPW's EAB containment strategy, staff inspects and assesses the extent of EAB damage throughout the city. Beginning in 2012, trees were rated on a five-point scale ranging from good condition to dead. Trees in good condition show little or no sign of EAB and have the highest chance of surviving. These trees continue to be treated and monitored. Marginal trees have serious signs of EAB but have a chance to survive. The marginal trees are re-evaluated before treatment the next year. Poor or dead trees are no longer worth preserving and require removal. In 2020, more than 90% of the ash trees exhibited little or no sign of EAB damage.
EAB Treatments
The City uses different treatment methods for controlling the EAB depending on the size of the tree. Imidacloprid (Xytect) is used for smaller trees while TREE-age is applied to larger trees. Both treatments are administered in the spring and early summer. The Imidacloprid treatments are applied as a soil drench and are less effective on larger diameter trees, especially if the trees are already infested....
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