Street Tree Master Plan

An Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan
Village of Whitehouse, Ohio

Purpose:  By implementing the provisions in this management plan, the Village of Whitehouse is attempting to reduce the disruption to its urban forest caused by the infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).  Taking a proactive approach to this invasion will enable the Village to address public and private needs in an efficient and effective manner.

The Village will endeavor to distribute and budget costs associated with certain and massive tree death over a manageable time period, as well as lessen the social and economic impact that such an extensive loss will have on the quality of life in our community.

This plan applies throughout the Village on all public properties where ash trees are currently growing, as well as on private properties where such trees may encroach upon the public rights-of-way or other public properties.

Administration:  The Service Department staff will be responsible for implementing this plan and seeing that its provisions are carried out.

Definitions:

Canopy cover.  The upper part of a tree made up of branches and leaves.

EAB.  Emerald Ash Borer

Non-EAB host species.  Trees that are not ash trees.

Public rights-of-way.  Property where Village roadway and utilities are located.

Urban forest.  Village trees.

Village.  Village of Whitehouse, Administration, and staff.

Ash Removal:  The Village will maintain an inventory of all ash trees growing on its rights-of-way, in parks, and on other municipal properties.  For each ash tree a record of its location, size, and condition will be maintained.  An estimated budget and time frame will be generated from the inventory data and presented to Village Council in August.  The Village will systematically remove all affected ash trees.  Tree removal will be prioritized with hazardous trees being removed first followed by those that are no longer assets to the community (dead, dying, diseased, or mis-sited).  Utility contractors will be encouraged to remove all diseased ash trees within easements as part of their normal line clearance activities.  This must be done in a timely manner.  An ash tree inventory spreadsheet or database will be updated to record the removal, treatment, or status of each ash tree.

Wood Utilization and Disposal:  The Village will control the use of the wood generated during the removal program in compliance with existing state regulations.

Communications:  The Mayor, Village Council, Tree Commission, and department heads and residents will receive periodic briefings through Council meeting reports, the quarterly Hometown NewsNewsletter, area newspapers, and the Village website.

Education:  Staff and Tree Commission members are urged to attend State seminars addressing the EAB problem and to keep current with the latest information through the various educational web sites.  Residents will receive EAB updates through the quarterly Hometown Newsletter and this web site.

Canopy Replacement and Care:  As the budget permits, removed public ash trees can be replaced with non-EAB host species that will enhance the planting site and add to the diversity and general health of the urban forest.  Trees will be planted in accordance with Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association/Ohio Division of Forestry Tree Planting Specifications.  Plants will be budget based and prioritized by canopy cover goals as identified by the Village Forester.

Private Ash Trees:  The Village will create and maintain an EAB informational page on the Village web site.  A copy of the Village EAB Management Plan will be available on the web site.  The Village can provide guidance for replanting through the list of desirable trees that has been adopted by the Tree Commission.

Contact List:

1.  Marianne Prue, Emerald Ash Borer Urban Forester, Ohio Division of Forestry, 419-429-8304, e-mail:marianne.prue@dnr.state.oh.us

2.  Stephanie Miller, State Urban Forester, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, OH 45840, 419-429-8313, e-mail:Stephanie.Miller@dnr.state.oh.us

3.  eab@agri.ohio.gov

4.  www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab

5.  www.ashalert.osu.edu

6.  www.ohiodnr.com/forestry

Approved Contractors:  An approved Contractor List is in place and maintained by the Village for related needs.

Gypsy Moth Information
Whitehouse Tree Commission

A Gypsy Moth infestation has been found in Whitehouse.  Residents are asked to be alert to signs of this pest.  The newly hatched caterpillars are 1/8 inch long, hairy, and mostly dark brown to black.  They climb to the tops of trees and begin feeding.  If the tree is not to their liking, they will suspend themselves by a silken thread and wait for wind currents to take them to another tree.  In later stages they will develop very noticeable pairs of red and blue spots down their abdomen and can grow up to 3 inches long.

The Gypsy Moth will feed on more than 300 species of trees and shrubs.   As it grows, it will strip foliage from the tree.  Gypsy Moths do NOT make tents or create mass webbing in tree crotches or branches.

Deciduous trees defoliated by the Gypsy Moth are rarely killed.  As a rule, a healthy tree can tolerate three consecutive years of defoliation before it is killed.   Tree defoliation does decrease the energy reserve of the tree, reducing its ability to resist disease and insect pests to which it is normally resistant.  Evergreen trees, on the other hand, are frequently killed by one severe defoliation.

In addition to weakening the tree, a Gypsy Moth infestation is a very unpleasant experience for home owners.   As the caterpillars eat and grow, they drop excrements below the tree.  This makes the usual yard activities almost impossible.

If you would like additional information on the Gypsy Moth, or have an insect sample that you would like confirmed, please contact the Ohio State Extension Office located in the Toledo Botanical Gardens.   If you confirm that you have a Gypsy Moth infestation, please notify the Whitehouse Tree Commission by calling Village Hall at 419-877-5383.

Area residents may participate in the Whitehouse Memorial Tree Planting Program.  The program is designed to give residents the opportunity to create a lasting memorial by donating trees in memory of relatives and friends or in honor of a commemorative occasion.  Click here for the Tree Memorial Form or contact Village employees for further information at 419-877-5383.

• Memorial plantings will be located along the Wabash Cannonball Trail or in Village parks.
• The exact location of each tree planting will be determined in accordance with the Whitehouse Tree Commission Master Plan.
• Trees may be selected by the donors from the Suggested Street Trees list provided by the Tree Commission.
• All costs pertaining to each Memorial Tree are the responsibility of the donor.  This cost of $450 includes:
• Tree with a 1.5 – 2 inch caliper trunk (purchaser’s choice from approved list)
• Planting, mulching, proper pruning and tree maintenance for the first five years after planting
• 4 x 8 inch engraved brick paver positioned at time of planting (total of 3 lines of engraving).

Tree Reimbursement Program Rules and Application Form

Explore this helpful tree guide from the Arbor Foundation to assist in choosing your next tree.

Prohibited Street Trees

The following trees shall not be planted on road right-of-way / tree lawn without specific consent of the Whitehouse Tree Commission:

• Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple)
• Acer negundo (Boxelder)
• Ailanthus altissima (Tree of Heaven)
• Betula Species (Birch, except River Birch (Betula Nigra)
• Catalpa Species (Catalpa)
• Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian Olive)
• Evergreens
• Fraxinus (Ash) Fruit tree cultivars bred for fruit production
• Ginkgo biloba (Female)
• Morus Species (Mulberry)
• Populus Species (Cottonwood, Poplar)
• Pyrus Species (Pear)
• Robinia pseudoacacia (Black Locust)
• Salix Species (Willow)
• Sorbus aucuparia (European Mountain Ash)
• Shrubs
• Ulmus americana (American Elm)
• Ulmus pumila (Siberian Elm)
• Ulmus rubra (Red Elm)

Whenever any tree or shrub is planted or set out in conflict with the provisions of Whitehouse Tree Ordinance #3-2010, the Village Administrator may cause removal of the same without obligating the Village to replace the illegally planted tree(s).