City of Gahanna
200 South Hamilton
Gahanna, OH 43230

(614) 342-4000
(614) 342-4100 Fax

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City Updates Plans for Emerald Ash Borer Tree Removal

GAHANNA, Ohio (August 16, 2012)  – The City of Gahanna Department of Parks & Recreation has completed its evaluation of Ash trees for 2012 and approximately 300 of the City’s original 1,400 street Ash trees will be removed this year.

According to Parks Superintendent Mike Musser, residents with Ash trees on their property that are dead or dying due to an infestation of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) will be notified via mail. The City has updated its EAB website page (click here) with the most complete EAB information.

“The City is currently seeking quotes from tree removal companies to remove street trees at no cost to the homeowner,” Musser said. “Tree removal will begin over the next few weeks and should take approximately six weeks to complete.”

Local tree removal companies have until August 24 to submit pricing proposals.

The infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer has taken its toll on Ash trees in Central Ohio, including Gahanna, and the continual death or decaying of Ash trees is expected to continue. As a result, the Parks & Recreation Department has determined if one tree at on a resident’s street lawn needs removed, the City’s contractor will remove all the street trees at one time.

“If you are treating the other (Ash) trees in the street lawn, please contact our office immediately so we do not remove those trees,” Musser said.

Within the next few weeks, trees will be marked before the scheduled removal. The City is requesting residents do not park vehicles on the street during this time so removal crews may easily access the street trees. Stump removal will follow shortly after the trees are removed.

Homeowners are responsible for filling the hole and reseeding the area where the trees are removed, but the City does not require residents to replace street trees. Musser recommends contacting homeowners associations for differing requirements and following the recommendations in a follow-up letter from the City to homeowners regarding tree replacement options, location requirements and grass planting information.

Homeowners may call the Department of Parks & Recreation with questions or concerns at 614-342-4250.


About the EAB: Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that was first discovered in Detroit, Michigan in 2002. The insect has spread to Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Ontario, Canada. It attacks all varieties of ash trees. EAB has been found in 40 counties in Ohio, all of which are under quarantine to help prevent its spread. EAB has recently been found in, and is spreading throughout The City of Gahanna. Once infested, trees may show little sign of the pest for the first year or two. The larval stage of EAB feeds under the bark of trees, cutting off the flow of water and nutrients. They emerge as an adult the following year leaving a D-shaped exit hole. Adults are dark metallic green, ½” in length and 1/8” wide. The EAB flies from early May until September. Ash trees that become infested with EAB typically die within five years.