Arlington Heights Increases EAB Fund as Disease Takes a Toll

Arlington Heights is ordering 4,105 trees of different species to replace the trees it must cut down due to Emerald ash borer. It is part of a long-term plan to make sure it has trees on reserve as EAB takes a toll on the village’s ash trees.

The village’s cost for this budget year will be $234,573 for a down payment on the trees. Arlington Heights established an EAB operating fund in March 2012, but village trustees had to make an amendment of $63,000 to put into the EAB fund for this year.

EAB is an invasive green beetle that feeds on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients, according to www.emeraldashborer.info. EAB has killed millions of ash trees throughout the country since it first appeared in the U.S. in 2002, the site states.

The beetle is firmly established in Arlington Heights where approximately 1,000 trees have already been removed, staff said.

Arlington Heights is working with the Suburban Tree Consortium (STC) to reserve a supply of trees while keeping the cost of replacement trees down, according to village documents. The consortium, established in 1985, pulls together municipalities to increase their buying power with nurseries. 

Arlington Heights has been a member since 2004.

EAB is expected to continue to spread out the replacement tree inventory and availability will be affected, staff said. By reserving an inventory through STC, Arlington Heights will be able to secure a diverse selection of trees. The trees will be supplied by local nurseries.

The down payment will help the village to be proactive. A total of 7,890 trees will be reserved. The trees include the Kentucky Coffee Tree, Japanese Lilac, Tulip Tree and Chestnut.

They will not include common trees like maple, honey locus and hackberry, because they will not be affected by any shortages.

A total of 4,015 trees would be on reserve for this fiscal year with the balance spread out over the next few years.