Parks, Recreation & Leisure

Parks, Recreation & Leisure / Parks & Forestry

Tree Talk

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Ashes, Ashes

My recent column on Emerald Ash Borer issues left some readers with the impression that jack booted storm troopers would arrive to remove all ash trees from private property in Upper Arlington. Nothing could be further from the truth. Parks and Forestry Superintendent Steve Cothrel tells me that his jack boots no longer fit after all of the recent marshmallow crème eggs he ate and he is too busy cutting the grass on the Northam Park tee ball fields to worry about private trees.

Current City Code however does require the removal of dead or dangerous private trees if they threaten the public right of way or public infrastructure. The City Tree Commission is concerned that this leaves unaddressed the potential threat posed by dead or dangerous private trees looming over a neighbor's swing set or sun room. Waiting for death or injury to occur before activating the tort system seems to us on the Commission to lack prudence. We have therefore suggested that Upper Arlington City Council enact changes to Code 907 that would allow the City to require removal of trees or shrubs deemed a menace to persons, buildings or structures by a staff Certified Arborist. Such trees would require removal within 30 days of receipt of a certified letter notifying the resident. Failure to comply would allow the City to remove such trees and bill the resident 150% of the actual cost of the work. The intent here is to incentivize the tree owner to contract the removal work privately. The Tree Commission feels that a huge dead tree looming over a neighbor's property is no different than an unfenced swimming pool in terms of being a hazard.

This proposed Code revision will have three readings before Council and will then be voted on.

Jane C. Martin from the Ohio State University Extension-Franklin County published her EAB recommendations in a recent Dispatch article. She does not recommend insecticide treatments for trees outside of the current northwestern Ohio quarantine area at this time. Current research shows mixed results of such treatment with some outright failures.

My advice for private ash tree owners who opt to keep large private ash trees is to send a Honey Baked Ham to your local tree surgeon. Cultivate a relationship so that he will take your phone call should you need him suddenly.

Parks & Forestry Division
Parks & Recreation Department
City of Upper Arlington
3600 Tremont Road
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Phone: 614-583-5340