Dead ash tree
would die in a few years if we did nothing. I formed an
"EAB Task Force" and needed other community leaders
to get on board. I reached out to the NAHC, the City
of Naperville, community colleges, community leaders,
service groups, school districts, scientist, and chemical
companies.
The result was that the NAHC saw this as a topic
that the community needed to know about and start-
ed movement to save the trees. At the time, Dr. Bob
Buckman was president and put together a community
EAB Forum. The lesson here is that the arborist does
not need to be the only voice to spread the message to
save trees. At the EAB forum we asked all the people
to be "deputies" to spread the word that treatments
are an option and to encourage people to voice their
concern to their neighbors and the
City of Naperville.
Another strategy was to get the press
involved. We have a good relationship
with a few reporters and sent them
information about saving ash trees. The reality is that
dead trees and destruction makes the headlines. We
pushed the "saving trees" story.
What are some lessons you learned from this
experience?
Skeet: -First, that "Technology, Treatments, and
Teamwork will Triumph over Chainsaws and Chippers."
-Executive Director of ISA Jim Skiera says it best: "See
where our circle of knowledge touches another person
in a different field, and start to talk/share/learn/
help." As a certified arborist, I would not think knowing
Motor Fuel Tax policy is part of my circle, and yet there
is a place where the two overlap. That was a point to
talk/share/learn/help.
Treated vs. untreated ash trees
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