By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
TOMAHAWK – The City of Tomahawk is continuing its efforts to remove ash trees while the impacts of an invasive species are felt both within city limits and throughout the state.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in July announced that emerald ash borer (EAB) had been detected in Burnett County, meaning the wood-boring beetle has now been found in each Wisconsin county.
EAB kills ash trees by eating the tissues under the bark. Native to northeastern Asia, EAB was first detected in the United States in 2002 and is thought to have been introduced from China through the wood from shipping crates, according to the DNR.
The invasive species was first found in Wisconsin in 2008. The DNR said EAB is expected to kill more than 99% of Wisconsin’s white, black and green ash trees, as well as their ornamental varieties.
“EAB larvae bore into ash trees and carve winding, S-shaped galleries beneath the trees’ bark, typically starting in the upper canopy and progressing down the tree,” DNR stated. “The galleries restrict the movement of water and nutrients to affected areas of the tree, leading to branch dieback, canopy thinning and tree death.”
Last summer, City of Tomahawk Streets Department Leadperson Nick Rosenmeier told the City of Tomahawk Park and Recreations Committee that EAB had been detected in the city. Since that time, city and contracted crews have worked to remove affected trees.
Rosenmeier said last year that EAB will eventually impact every ash tree in Tomahawk, meaning they must all be removed and ultimately replaced with trees of different species.
In an effort to receive assistance in removing and replacing ash trees, the city applied for and was awarded a 2024 Urban Forestry Grant, administered by the DNR. The $25,000.00 grant is a dollar-for-dollar match with the DNR.
Late last month, Rosenmeier told the Tomahawk Leader that about 40 ash trees have been removed since last fall, and Foley’s Tree Service has been contracted to remove roughly 50 additional trees that are too large or dangerous for city employees to take down.
Trees that are set to be taken down by Foley’s have been marked with a red “X.” Under the Urban Forestry grant, the trees must be removed by the end of the year.
Rosenmeier said there isn’t a specific timeline for when the marked trees will be removed between now and late December, but he noted that a “worst first” approach is being taken.
Currently, there aren’t any “stone cold dead” ash trees in the city, Rosenmeier said. But, when they get to that point, they become more difficult, hazardous and costly to take down, which has led to a proactive strategy.
“We will be paying more to take trees down that are already dead, than we would if we take them while they’re alive, because they’re more manageable,” Rosenmeier explained. “It’s a safety thing.”
Going forward, the plan is to replace the ash trees with numerous species to diversify the city’s tree population. Although Rosenmeier said there aren’t any specific plans regarding replacement species at this time, he noted that species will be “(intermingled) throughout the block,” so in the event another invasive species impacts the city, an entire block’s worth of trees won’t have to be taken down.
“We’re not going to have a whole block of maple,” he stated.
Rosenmeier added that although an ash tree has been removed, a new tree might not necessarily be planted in that same spot. For example, if a block already has one ash tree and several other trees, and to plant a new tree would further crowd the block, a new tree likely won’t be planted there.
“Now, if you have three ash trees in a row on your block, you’re probably getting at least two of them replaced,” Rosenmeier stated, adding that the goal is to ultimately get as close as possible to replacing the quantity of trees taken down.
The ash trees on Somo Ave. will not be replaced because the road is slated to be reconstructed within the next five years, according to Rosenmeier.
Rosenmeier noted that the city is not responsible for ash trees on private property. He suggests keeping an eye on ash trees in yards and said that although they could be treated, they will die eventually, so being proactive and having them removed sooner rather than later is likely the best option.
“I would highly recommend people start thinking, planning, saving, whatever it takes, to have their (ash) trees either removed or treated in the next couple of years,” he stated.
Rosenmeier said the city plans to apply for a 2025 Urban Forestry Grant. Although there’s no guarantee the city will be awarded a grant two years in a row, the possibility remains due to the city’s ongoing battle with EAB.
Looking ahead, city crews will continue to identify trees they can’t take down themselves and continue to remove ash trees as time and ability allow. And, Rosenmeier said, he foresees a push to begin planting new trees next year.