Oak Forest officials have known since fall that the emerald ash borer has invaded the city.
Thirteen trees infested by the dreaded beetle have been removed, but city officials have to decide what to do with the estimated 2,500 ash trees that are on parkways throughout the city.
Mayor Hank Kuspa and the rest of the city council heard Tuesday night from public works director Troy Ishler on how the city plans to combat the destructive insect and how much it will cost.
Ishler isn’t recommending a plan similar to that of Homewood, which is removing all ash trees on public property whether they’re infested or not. Ishler recommended that Oak Forest cut down only those trees that are obviously infested.
Ishler said the public works department could handle the tree removal but will need to purchase new equipment.
The city would also have to consider replanting where trees have been removed. Ishler detailed five- and 10-year tree replacement plans that would cost a total of about $500,000.
There are options to attack the ash borer with pesticides, but they have not proven effective and would be costly, he said.
Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services