Ash tree defenders cover East Village
130 trees tagged for emerald ash borer treatment
A census of neighborhood parkways found 130 trees that would qualify for treatment in an East Village Association initiative to manage Chicago's emerald ash borer infestation. A fundraising campaign is under way to fund tree preservation. The cost for private treatment is estimated at $150 to $200 per tree.
A systemic insecticide, injected into mature trees every few years, is effective in protecting trees from the beetle, whose larvae tunnel under the bark and starve trees of water and nutrients. Untreated infestations are fatal.
EVA volunteers found 57 good and 73 fair candidates for treatment based on the condtion of the tree's top layer or canopy. The neighborhood's leafy streets have been a magnet for renters and home buyers who value the cool breezes, rustling leaves and chirping birds of an urban landscape.
Rich Anselmo, Lacey Cordero, Marjie Isaacson and Micol Seferin lead the campaign.
Trees identified in the survey were marked in mid-July with signs introducing the treatment program and asking for contributions. EVA has allocated $750 to the campaign and a gofundme.com page shows $5,000 raised in the first two weeks.
