Fall Workshop - Dec 2011
flyer/form (pdf)

T2 Tech Brief 2011-5 - Guidelines for Hiring a Tree Contractor

To all Tree Wardens:

With the emerald ash borer so close to our border (30 miles west of our NW border, in NYS), it is time to begin a serious discussion regarding preparation. While nobody wants to encourage over-reaction, there are some basic steps that you, as tree warden for your city or town, might take.

We outline those in the attached letter ("we" being representatives of the CT DEP Division of Forestry, UConn Cooperative Extension Service, CT Agricultural Experiment Station, USDA APHIA and the US Forest Service).
To boil it down, we are encouraging you to:

  • know what the emerald ash borer looks like, what its habits are and the damage it causes.
  • be aware of what the likely state and federal regulatory response will be should EAB be discovered in your part of Connecticut
  • begin formulating a local response plan to EAB, in case it is found in your town This is all explained in greater detail in the attached letter. In addition, a quick "information sheet" on the EAB is included.

There will be further discussion regarding this insect at the Tree Wardens dinner on next Thursday, including a short talk by Tom Worthley on the monitoring effort.

We encourage you to take the time to learn more about this insect and help us slow its spread and potentially mitigate the impact it may have on Connecticut's trees and forests.

Regards,
Chris Donnelly
CT DEP Forestry
Urban Forestry Coordinator