SOUTH BRUNSWICK – The South Brunswick Township Council has approved a township-wide street side and park tree inventory, with the major goal to identify the locations, quantity, condition and size of ash trees located on public property.
This inventory will provide data to develop a mitigation plan for the emerald ash borer, a devastating invasive insect that feeds on the inner bark of ash trees. Additional goals include removal of potentially hazardous trees and replanting with new alternate species, according to information provided by South Brunswick Township.
The emerald ash borer has been identified in South Brunswick by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the South Brunswick Shade Tree Commission.
It is very difficult to detect until tree decline has begun, according to officials. Very high, if not total, mortality of ash trees can be expected, with tree death usually occurring within two to four years as insect populations rise.
For more information, visit www.sbtnj.net and navigate to the Shade Tree Commission’s FAQ page by clicking on DepartmentsPublic WorksShadeTree from the main page.
Residents with any other questions and/or concerns pertaining to the emerald ash borer and trees in their neighborhood can email [email protected] or call 732-329-4000, ext. 7278.
Additional information is also available at www.emeraldashborer.nj.gov