Experts said it was inevitable, and now, the emerald ash borer has arrived in Evansville.
The Department of Natural Resources confirmed the detection of the highly invasive, non-native pest along the Ohio River in Pigeon Township.
A news release from the city of Evansville says the Department of Urban Forestry is stepping up efforts to educate the public about the ash borer, to monitor the pest, and to take action as needed to safeguard the city’s ash trees.
The city placed ash trees on its list of trees not to plant in public spaces in 2003, and has been planting other species ever since. The city is also removing public ash trees, as time allows, that are already dying from other causes or that are structurally weak.
Arborist Shawn Dickerson encourages property owners to treat ash trees now. He says the treating should only be done by a licensed pesticide applicator.