Removal Of Dying Ash Trees Discussed By Long Valley Officials

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Activity from the emerald ash borer beetle is continuing to kill ash trees in Long Valley.

This invasive species kills ash trees by tunneling through the bark, disrupting the tree's vascular system, and preventing nutrients from reaching the leaves.

Residents have been advised by the mayor to report any ash tree that seems to be dead or dying inside the township right of way to avoid creating a potentially deadly hazard.

The ash trees killed by the emerald ash borer across the township may not only be a nuisance, but the trees that remain may be harmful, according to tree care professionals.

Infested ash trees can quickly deteriorate and become dangerous, with limbs falling on your personal property, your neighbor's personal property, sidewalks and roadways.

According to research conducted by the Shade Tree Commission in 2016, there were 756 ash trees throughout the township.

Mayor Matt Murello indicated during the Aug. 21 township committee meeting that the township's DPW has been aggressively removing dead and dying ash trees in the township's rights of way over the previous few years.

Long Valley spent $74,000 in 2021 on a new chipper to utilize in-house for removing larger ash trees. Since 2022, the DPW has removed over 460 trees in township rights of way, totaling about 7,000 man-hours.

In addition, the DPW employed subcontractors to remove 57 trees throughout 2022 and 2023.

Murello stated that county officials had also stated that they would remove around 10,000 trees along county roads and trails, while JCP&L stated that they have removed hundreds of trees throughout the township adjacent to power lines.

"The township is well aware that we have many ash trees that are dying all around town. The DPW is doing yeoman's work on removing ash trees, but it is a process that takes time," Murello said.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture said the emerald ash borer was first discovered in the state in May 2014, when it was located in Somerset County. "Infestations throughout the U.S. and Canada have killed tens of millions of ash trees since 2002," the department said.

To report a dying ash tree, residents are asked to file a request on the township website's service request section.