Hey, there! Log in / Register
No emerald ash borers in Somerville
By adamg on Tue, 05/17/2016 - 9:52am
A kindly state entomologist alerts a reporter he should learn to read better: Although the city of Somerville is looking to chop down 155 ash trees and grind them to a fine powder, it's because they are potential targets of the dreaded emerald ash borer. In fact, the expert says, since 2014, entomologists have not found the tiny green bugs in greater Boston outside of the Arnold Arboretum.
Ad:
Comments
I love that we have state entomologists!
Massachusetts rocks.
[Edited to add, yeah, I know, a lot of states have state entomologists. But we rock anyway!]
Why do we have to cut down
Why do we have to cut down healthy trees to prevent an infestation? How is this any better than taking our chances?
They're not in good condition
They have other problems that would make them particularly vulnerable.
Not healthy
They are already suffering from ash yellows, which most ash trees in the area have died from already.
I've cut two on my property in 20 years due to this.
Phew
That was pretty scary seeing the map of Somerville with all those red dots of doom. Because if the trees were actually, already infested -- that would mean the same for most if not all neighboring areas.
Hey Adam
I see you linked to the previous story in that blurb, but do you have a link/source to that State entomologist report?
I was wondering, tangentially, I saw some of those flyers on telephone/utility polls and wondered if they were marked erroneously, or, if they were made of ash tree trunks, or if some punk had moved them (which I find absurdly funny).
Alas, no
She contacted me via private message on Facebook.
Thanks for the follow up
If I recall, the signs say that these trees are up for "hearing" on whether or not they'll be removed. They're not the prettiest trees that could populate the streets up in these parts, aesthetically speaking, but I'll take as much green as we can get, personally.
What???
How do you know she's not making it up?!
Ouch
There's nothing to make up. The news reports basically back up the facts though no one is focusing on the 800 trees that are NOT slated for removal. Somerville is lucky to have such a large street tree canopy.
Psst