Immediate Release
November 3, 2011
Batavia, Ohio. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has sent letters to homeowners in Clermont County indicating that contractors will begin cutting down trees infested by the Asian Longhorn Beetle (ALB) beginning the week of November 14, weather permitting. While 5,000 infested trees have been confirmed in Tate and Monroe Townships, as many as 56,000 trees could be cut down. The ODA, USDA and several other agencies will hold a public meeting on Monday, November 7, 2011, 6 p.m. at the Grant Memorial Building, located at 235 W. Plane Street in Bethel to discuss the planned eradication and answer home owners’ questions.
The ALB is an invasive species that grows, reproduces in, and kills deciduous hardwood trees such as maple, birch, horse, chestnut, poplar, willow, elm, and ash. The ALB is from East Asian countries such as China and Japan; it reportedly has entered the United States in crates and pallets from those countries.
“We understand that this (tree removal) could drastically impact the landscape in that area,” said Brett Gates, public information officer with the ODA. “However, this is the best way to stop the spread of the ALB. Doing nothing is not an option.” Gates said that the tree removal plans involve cutting down all host trees within a ¼ mile radius of a light infestation and up to a ½ mile radius of heavily infested sites.
Bill Skvarla, owner of Harmony Hills Vineyard in Bethel is credited with first discovering the ALB in several of his trees in July. “I understand the importance of cutting down trees that are infected, but the plan they have for us will be absolutely devastating!” he said. Skvarla said 1,000 trees on his property could be cut down. “Why are we cutting down all these healthy trees? My phone is ringing off the hook from neighbors who are very upset over this situation. One man’s great grandfather planted a beautiful maple in the yard 125 years ago; that tree is targeted to come down. This has become an environmental, economic, and emotional situation. We are looking at ways to fight the mass landscape and environmental destruction.”
The USDA reports that impacted trees will be cut, chipped, and then burned. Some stumps in yards will be ground down and the yard reseeded. The agency is also looking at a plan to replant trees in the community. The tree removal process is expected to extend into spring 2012. For more information about the ALB eradication program, contact the OHIO ALB Program at (513) 502-1251. More information is also available on the website www.agri.ohio.gov.
Pictured above: An Asian Longhorn Beetle found in Bethel
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathy Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@ clermontcountyohio.gov.