Detection of emerald ash borer (EAB) in Vermont in early 2018 prompted VT UCF to further encourage towns to conduct public ash tree inventories. An ash tree infested with EAB will likely die within 1-5 years (if not treated) and may become a hazard to public safety. Vermont towns should understand their public ash tree population, including where ash trees are:
- in the right-of-way in town centers (street trees) and in high-use areas;
- in parks, town greens, or other town-owned recreational areas;
- in the right-of-way on rural roads;
- near utility lines and should only be managed by utility-trained arborists;
- in natural areas, i.e. town forests, that could impact public safety if diseased or dying, such as those along trails; and
- on private land that impacts town properties or the town right-of-way, or are a priority for preservation.
An inventory will facilitate realistic management of EAB by assessing impact to publicly-managed places, prioritizing removals, identifying trees suitable for treatment, and budgeting for tree treatment or removal.
Check out this video to help you decide what type of inventory might be appropriate for your community or watch the video below to see data collection in action.
Ash Tree Inventory Options
Depending on the size and nature (urban vs. suburban vs. rural) of your community, and your capacity to coordinate and implement, consider these ash tree inventory options:
Level I: Rapid Roadside Ash Survey
Level II: Rural Roadside Ash Inventory Tool
Level III: Municipal Tree Inventory
Ash Tree Inventory Considerations
Answer these questions to help you determine the scale, scope, and format.
- How will the data be used? What is the goal of collecting the data?
- Will you conduct a full or sample survey/inventory?
- Who will collect the data, and over what time period (municipal staff, volunteers, contracted professionals)?
- What is the extent of the area(s) you will include in the inventory?
Accurate identification of ash trees will be crucial for a successful and efficient inventory.
Visit the Vermont Forest Pest Planning Case Studies page to learn how nine Vermont communities inventoried ash trees in their town and developed an Emerald Ash Borer Preparedness Plan. These towns varied widely in population, size, and resources, creating unique town experiences and lessons learned.
Visit the EAB Municipal Management Case Studies page drawn from six municipalities in the Midwest, New England, and Vermont. These communities vary in population, percentage of public trees that are ash, and resources. Each case study includes the economic costs of ash management for that municipality.