Increase Of Dead Ash Trees Discussed By Chester Officials

CHESTER, NJ — Activity from the emerald ash borer beetle is continuing to kill ash trees in Chester Township.

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

Current town rules require that homeowners remove any trees that endanger public safety, first responders' jobs, or the continued operation of the township's utility system. This is especially critical for dead ash trees along township roads, officials said.

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 the township, ash trees comprise 30 to 40 percent of Chester's tree canopy. Click here to view photos of the damage that dead ash trees can inflict.

During the Sept. 9 township council meeting, councilman Joseph DiPaolo noted that he has seen a growing number of dead ash trees around township roads in the past few months.

"I think all we need is one bad storm, and we're in hurricane season now, so we could have some problems," DiPaolo said.

Mayor Michael Inganamort concurred, saying the township was aware of the ongoing problem with dead ash trees near roadways and had contacted the township's JCP&L official, who had agreed to share a tree removal schedule with the council.

According to DiPaolo, the council never got that schedule.

"I seem to recall them saying that next year Chester was going to be on the list of towns that they were going to be maintaining some of these trees, but I think there was some potential work contemplated for this year," Inganamort said.

The mayor stated that he was going to reach back out to JCP&L and see what could be done in the meantime.

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.

In neighboring Mendham, Brian Hays, a representative of the Mendham Township Tree Protection Committee, recently warned the community that the township's infection rate has been steadily increasing over the years.

Hays warned against increased activity from the emerald ash borer beetle and asked residents to check their trees for this destructive infestation.

"Trees are going to fall on trails and in the roadway. Considering the potential liability in the event of an injury or death, it makes sense to address the trees with advanced deterioration as soon as possible," Hays said.