Area cities, Wright State work to save ash trees

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KETTERING — A few years ago, it was a foregone conclusion that Ohio’s millions of ash trees would fall to the emerald ash borer.

Losing them to the insect or cutting them down in advance of the inevitable are no longer the only options.

The city of Kettering, which has been chemically protecting 200 of the approximately 1,500 ash trees that grow in parks and on other city properties since 2008, is wrapping up the 2012 treatments in locations including Polen Farm, Indian Riffle Park, Ireland Park and the grounds of the government center.

Parks supervisor Mike Fleener said the prognosis for saving the trees has improved and the cost of doing so has come down.

The city spends about $3,000 a year for a chemical that is sprayed on the trunks of ash trees to repel the borers.

“The way we do this is relatively quick and has a low impact, which is important because we are working in public areas,” Fleener said.

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