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| Damage from an Emerald Ash Borer larvae. Burrowing like this cuts off water flow and nutrients, effectively killing the tree within 2-4 years of infection. |
The City of Albany’s Department of General Services (DGS), with funding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), has launched a program to treat and remove ash trees on City of Albany property that have been damaged by the emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive pest that has attacked ash trees in NY State, including Albany.
“Treating and removing these trees is essential,” DGS Commissioner Daniel C. Mirabile said. “Our forestry unit has been working with state and local agencies to develop a program that will protect as many trees as possible while ensuring the safety of City residents.”
A recent street tree inventory identified 1,000 ash trees on City property along Albany streets and an additional 1,200 in City parks and public spaces.
"It's been brought to our attention that ash trees in Townsend Park and adjacent areas, including portions of Central Avenue and Washington Avenue have been impacted by the Emerald Ash Borer. The city did an evaluation of the trees in the district earlier this year, and began treatment on the affected trees," says Anthony Capece, Executive Director of the Central Avenue Business Improvement District. "We want to make sure that our members are aware that the city is doing everything it can to save the trees. We will monitor the progress of the treatment, and update our members on the damage, as information becomes available."
DGS will take down approximately 40 trees this fall in various locations around the City and more ash trees will be taken down next year. Residents who have ash trees adjacent to their homes that are being removed have been notified. Currently trees are slated for removal on the following streets:
-Delaware Ave
-Mapleridge Street
-Sard Road
-Twiller Street
-Hacket Blvd
-Picotte Drive
-New Scotland
-Lenox Ave
-Washington Ave (the 900 block)
The program, which is funded by NYSDEC’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, treats trees to slow the damage done by the emerald ash borer. The funding will also pay for much of the removal of dead or dying ash trees on City property to protect residents from falling trees.
The emerald ash borer was first identified in Albany in 2014.
The City is currently working to find sufficient funding to pay for planting new trees on City property for residents who would like a replacement tree for a removed ash tree. However, DGS always encourages residents to support tree planting programs, and has a 50-50 matching program for new trees. For information on how best to support replanting initiatives, residents can contact Eva Petkanas at DGS (epetkanas@albanyny.gov /518-434-5822).
DGS Forestry Department has been working with NYSDEC and the Albany Cornell Cooperative Extension to deal with this environmental issue. For more information, including images of ash trees and the emerald ash borer, residents can go to NYSDEC’s emerald ash borer website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/
