Lakewood Looks to Remove 354 Ash Trees

The threat of the emerald ash borer is forcing the city’s hand to take down 354 ash trees on public property around the city.

The city has already cut down a reported 43 ash trees, and has plans to eliminate another 118 of the smaller trees by May of next year, reported LoveLakewood.com.

The remaining 236 taller ash trees will be treated with chemicals and systematically chopped down during the next 10 years.

Neither public works director Joe Beno nor Mayor Michael Summers could be reached for comment on this story.

LoveLakewood reported (and the city’s map of ash trees confirmed) that Grace, Morrison and Woodward avenues have the highest concentration.

The Asian beetle is a highly-invasive, destructive insect that feeds on the sap of ash trees, and common in Ohio and the Midwest. Once an ash tree is infested with ash borer larva, it can die within a year.

According to the report, the trees will be treated every other year to lessen “the visual and economic impact” of the removal of the ash trees — as well as keep the streets safe.

The project is expected to cost around $27,000 in 2014, but city officials may apply for a grant to help pay for the tree removal.

Each tree removed would be replaced within days.