Emerald Ash Borers Found in Local Park

Naperville resident David Sinker doesn't want to see any more ash holes in the city.

"I think it's about time Naperville did something about (it)," he said Wednesday, when addressing the City Council during a public forum. "This bug has been terrorizing the Midwest and its ash trees."

Sinker spoke about a plethora of issues that "bugged" him—emerald ash borers included. His speech came just hours after an infestation of the insect was discovered at . About 30 trees will be removed from the park because of the outbreak.

Members of the City of Naperville Forestry Department found the pesky metallic green beetle in ash trees in the neighborhood, 1047 West St., after a routine inspection, according to a news release sent by the park district.

The trees will be replaced with a variety of other species—a change that will be funded in part by a $29,150 grant for Urban Forest Restoration, officials said. The grant program is administered by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and Morton Arboretum.

"The tree removals and replanting will take place not only at , but throughout the district in 2011 according to the park district's EAB plan," said the release.

Actually, such replantings may take place throughout Illinois as part of the Technical Assistance and Emerald Ash Borer Restoration program. The initiative is part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the 2008 Farm Bill.

"More than $1 million is being distributed to 58 communities in Illinois through this grant program, enabling a regional response to the potential loss of ash trees, which comprise up to 20 percent of Chicagoland’s urban forest," said the news release. "… In addition to replanting, park district staff will continue to monitor existing ash trees, treating as many as is practicable and removing those that are infested or of low quality."

Wednesday's discovery followed a , where more than 100 people listened to entomologists and arborists explain the toll the beetles take on ash trees and ways to combat their devastating effects on the landscape.

Park district officials there said they will work with the c to monitor the spread of emerald ash borers. Residents with questions about the bug are asked visit the city's Web site.