FROM ASH TO ASHES City seeks outside help in removing dead trees By Melanie Yingst TDN Staff Writer myingst@civitasmedia TROY — The rapid deterioration caused by the emerald ash borer has been keeping the city of Troy’s park department busy as beavers cutting down dead ash trees and other damaged trees from November through March each year. Yet, according to the city of Troy’s Jeremy Drake, Superintendent of Parks, the long list of dead ash trees is becoming more than he and his crew can handle during the winter months. At Tuesday’s board of Park Commissioners meeting, Drake submitted a quote from Eric Davis of Tree Care Inc. to remove 70 dead trees at more than 40 city locations. In his report, Drake noted that he met with Eric Davis of Tree Care Inc. to look at dead street trees and park trees in August. Davis submitted a quote to remove 70 dead trees to help the parks department catch up with the growing list of trees needing to be removed. Davis is a certified master arborist. Drake said the trees need to be removed “sooner than later” and a contract with an outside vendor would help the city to “catch up and get co trol” of the problem. “They are dying and deteriorating at a greater rate,” Drake said. “We are getting a growing number of calls about dead trees and we are able to keep up with them throughout town.” Drake said staff would have to work year-round to be able to keep up with the removal mainly of dead ash trees. Drake said he also would like to add a full-time arborist to help keep up with the city’s tree program. The list includes several home owners and park properties which need immediate attention have been added to the removal list this summer. The quotes include proposal price includes take down, remove all wood and debris, grind stump and remove grindings to grade from Tree Care Inc. Examples of quotes and the number of trees include: Waco Park, nine ash trees and one dead elm tree —$2,800; Heywood Park, one maple and three ash trees — $2,100, Troy Library and Troy Hayner Cultural Center, 15 ash trees in curb lawn and one maple and one ash at Hayner — $3,850, Trade Square Park, 10 ash and two maples — $3,350; Community Park, nine ash and one dead spruce — $6,300, 17 residences with curb trees needing removal is estimated to cost $7,265. In other reports, Ken Siler, city of Troy’s recreation department director, said the Troy Aquatic Park’s pool is in the process of being drained and winterized. Hobart Arena staff will be putting down ice for the 2013- 2014 season. Siler said the Jam Productions company used the arena for signs and operations during last weekend’s music festival. The parking lot also served as a staging area for trucks and other equipment. Ken Green, director of Miami Shores Golf Course, was not in attendance due to illness. The surplus park land will be rebid beginning Oct. 16, according to city secretary Sue Knight. The board approved the Troy-Miami County Public Library’s request to use Brukner Park for its “Book Walk” from Sept. 28 through Oct. 26. The board approved the park use as long it meets insurance and liability issues and coverage. The “Book Walk” will include 16 signs throughout the park located in front of the library on Water St..
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 12:09:01 +0000