Emerald Ash Borer in Palos Park

Village of Palos Park

April 8, 2011

Dear Palos Park Residents

On Friday, April 08, 2011, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) confirmed an infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in the Village of Palos Park. The Village Arborist, in coordination with the IDA, conducted a brief initial survey and found several ash trees with EAB infestation in the Kimber Trails area.

By way of background, the EAB is a destructive, small, metallic-green beetle native to Asia that only attacks ash trees. While the EAB does not pose any public health risk, it does threaten our ash tree population.

The following information will help combat and contain the EAB infestation.

Read the Information Brochure.
Remember, EAB attacks only ash trees, so become familiar with how to identify an ash tree and the EAB, and the signs of an EAB infestation.
Inspect All Ash Trees on your Property
Look for signs of EAB. If you suspect that you may have EAB in your ash trees, have your tree inspected by a Certified Arborist registered with the Village of Palos Park. Attached is a current list of licensed Tree Contractors. You may choose any Certified Arborist but they must become licensed with the Village before undertaking any work on your property.
Do Not Cut Down Your Ash Trees Yourself.
A professional tree service, qualified as required by the Palos Park EAB Readiness Plan, must be hired to remove infested ash trees.
Preventative Treatment
Under certain circumstances, infested trees can be treated rather than immediately removed as explained in the Palos Park EAB Readiness Plan.
Do Not Move Firewood.
EAB can easily be transported in wood.

Please consult with a certified arborist regarding the latest advancements in treatments to protect ash trees on your property.

Please consult www.emeraldashborer.info or www.agr.state.il.us/eab for information on control and treatment options of EAB. A copy of the Palos Park EAB Readiness Plan is available if you click here, or a hard copy is available at the Kaptur Administrative Center.

Thank you for your assistance.

Yours sincerely,

Nicole Milovich-Walters
Public Works Commissioner