Bids to Chemically Treat a Healthy Ash Tree and Tree Replanting Upgrades - available as of August 2007

The City of Grand Rapids has awarded two bids for property owners to use to chemically treat a healthy ash tree on private property. The City of Grand Rapids has also awarded three bids for property owners to use if the owner would like to purchase a larger tree to be replanted on their property. The City of Grand Rapids Streets and Sanitation Department will replace trees as they are available, however the size of the replacement tree is usually 1 3/4 (inch) CAL. Therefore, if owners would like to upgrade the size of the tree to be replanted on their property, at the owner's expense, this bid provides pricing for that option. Any property owner interested in having an ash tree chemically treated or to purchase a larger tree for their property must contact the vendor directly to make the appropriate scheduling arrangements and review pricing. The City of Grand Rapids shall not supervise, direct or have control of the vendor's means, methods, techniques, sequences, or procedures of chemically treating or replanting trees, or the safety precautions for work completed on private property. It is the responsibility of the property owner to make arraignments with the vendor to review final cost for service.

Click here to review vendor contact information and pricing.

City of Grand Rapids' Pilot Study on Ash Trees

Ash Trees Being Trimmed or Removed on Fuller Ave

At the request of Consumers Energy, ash trees on Fuller Ave between Michigan and Fulton needed to be trimmed for maintenance and safety of their lines. The City of Grand Rapids pulled together various stakeholders (concerned citizens, neighborhood associations, business representatives) to determine the best solution for this area. This area has a large canopy and very mature tress, which provides many environmental advantages to the City. The City Forester indicated that there was some indication of emerald ash borer in this area therefore removal of some of these trees was inevitable. For more information, click here to read the press release.

Updates will be posted here for residents of the affected Shawnee Drive SE area.  Bookmark this page! 

Month of October/November 2007

Shawnee residents voted down the option to bury wires on their block. The City proceeded with sending the residents options for tree replanting upgrades. Each resident was asked if they were going to purchase a tree from the upgrade list (available above) or if they would like the City to plant one of their standard trees. Replanting of trees started the end of October/early November 2007.

Month of September 2007

City staff working on letter and survey to the residents regarding burying utility wires and its associated costs as well as the lighting options for the street.  Shawnee residents will also receive notification of replanting options for this Fall, if there is no interest in burying the wires.

August 23, 2007

City Staff met with neighbors regarding estimates obtained from utility companies.  Neighbors requested a survey be sent to all residents on the block to obtain initial interest to proceed with the project, with alternative pricing for street lighting identified.  It was also determined by the City's Attorney's office that this public improvement project could possibly be special assessed, paid for by the neighbors over a 10 year period with 7% interest. 

Months of June and July 2007

City Staff worked with Comcast, AT&T and Consumers Energy to obtain additional estimates for the burial of utility lines.  

Week of 4-30-07
Consumers Energy Engineering staff developed an initial estimated cost for putting lines underground in the part of Shawnee that is affected by the Emerald Ash borer (addresses from 2102 to 2229 Shawnee).  It would cost approximately $80,000, plus additional costs for converting the existing meter sockets on the homes from an overhead style to the required underground style.  The meter socket conversion work could cost approximately $2000 per meter socket and must be done by a qualified and licensed electrician.  These amounts do not include any additional work by other utilities (cable TV, telephone, etc.) that may be necessary to convert their lines to underground if they are also located on the poles.  If the City and the neighborhood are interested in proceeding, Consumers Energy would be happy to work with designated representatives on the details.

Week of 4-23-07
The City of Grand Rapids Streets and Sanitation Department will begin the process of removing infested ash trees on Shawnee Drive SE on May 1, 2007.

Week of 4-16-07 
Neighborhood meeting held at Shawnee Math and Science School on April 19, 2007.  Click here for meeting notes and Shawnee neighborhood contacts.

Week of 4-09-07
Residents received invitation dated April 10 to attend an informational meeting in the neighborhood.

 

The City Forester indicated that approximately 22 trees will be removed starting May 21, 2007.  Replacement trees will be planted in the fall with various species based upon budget allotment.  The residents on College indicated that they would like to see the list of species available for planting on the City's website. 

 

Click here to read an article placed in the Heritage Hill newsletter for more information on the meeting and Emerald Ash Borer. 

 

Week of 5-14-07 
A neighborhood meeting for the residents of the College Avenue infestation area is scheduled for Wednesday, May 16, at 7:00PM at the Frank Lloyd Wright House at 505 College Avenue SE.

Week of 5-7-07 
A neighborhood meeting has been set for May 16 for the residents of the 500 block of College Avenue SE.

Week of 4-30-07
The City of Grand Rapids Streets and Sanitation Department discovered Emerald Ash Borer in the 500 block of College Avenue.

Neighborhood Association sent out emails to residents in that area.

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This information is for educational purposes only.  References to commercial products or trade names do not imply endorsement by the City of Grand Rapids or bias against those not mentioned.

What is Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)?

• Commonly Asked Questions about the Emerald Ash Borer (PDF)
• Emerald Ash Borer Lifecycle (PDF) 
• Article on the current status of the emerald ash borer infestation and the program to eradicate it.  (PDF)
• Emerald Ash Borer and Your Woodland - Why should you be concerned about the emerald ash borer? (PDF)
• USDA - Forest Service Pest Alert (PDF)

 Is My Tree an Ash Tree?

• Distinquishing Ash from other Common Trees (PDF)
• Native Borers and Emerald Ash Borer look-alikes (PDF)
• Don't be Fooled by Look-Alikes! (PDF)

Is My Tree Infested?

 Treatment of Ash Trees

• Homeowners Guide to Emerald Ash Borer Treatments (PDF)
• Powerpoint from a treatment company on treatment of trees (PDF)
• Treating for Emerald Ash Borer with Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control Soil Drench (PDF)
• Should I Use Pesticides to Protect My Ash Trees From Emerald Ash Borer? (PDF)

Arborist Information 

• Hiring a Tree Care Company - What You Need to Know (PDF)
• Ask yourself these questions before hiring an Arborist (PDF) 

Alternatives for Planting Ash Trees 

• Recommended Alternatives to Ash Trees for Michigan's Lower Peninsula (PDF) 
• A Guide for the Selection and Use of Plants in the Landscape (PDF)
•  Poster on helping save America's Trees for Future Generations (PDF)

Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine Information 

• MDA Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Emerald Ash Borer Interior Quarantine (PDF)
• Powerpoint from the USDA on Emerald Ash Borer First Response (PDF)Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine Map - December 2006 (PDF)
• For the Michigan Department of Agriculture Emerald Ash Borer Facts, Quarantine Maps, Firewood Facts and other information - Michigan Department of Agriculture Links

Informational PDFs provided by Michigan State University Bulletin Office.  Funded by Project GREEEN.

Links to more information regarding the Emerald Ash Borer

• For information (regulations, publications, resources, etc.) on Emerald Ash Borer -http://emeraldashborer.info
• For information on ways to recycle the Ash wood - SE Michigan Resource, Conservation & Development Council
• For information on the Emerald Ash Borer from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - http://na.fs.fed.us/fhp/eab
   

For a list of addresses currently on the No Cut list click here (this list will be updated and posted regularly--last update May 15, 2008).  (PDF)