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The City of Watertown is set to treat select ash trees with pesticide injections on public property in the face of the emerald ash borer infestation.
City officials said May through the end of July is the most effective treatment window. If homeowners have an ash tree they want to save – on their property or on their boulevard – now is the time to act. The cost of the treatment varies based on the size of the tree. Most companies offer a price of about $10 per diameter inch of the tree trunk.
Larry Maag treats an ash tree. Courtesy photo.
All treated trees will receive a tag that shows they are now protected from emerald ash borer.
A commonly asked question is whether the city will front the cost to treat infected trees on the boulevard. This is not the case, although all untreated ash trees on public property, including the ones on the boulevard, will be removed eventually. Removing or treating all ash trees on private property within city limits are the responsibility of the property owners.
Any irrigation system damage occurring while boulevard ash trees are being removed happens at the expense of the property owner, according to the City of Watertown’s website.
The City of Watertown encourages homeowners with ash trees to contact a licensed arborist to identify and treat for emerald ash borer.
The statewide cost for ash tree removal ranges from $18 million to $43 million, with tree replacement possibly adding another $6 million to the total.
