East Aurora Readies for Spring 2013 Street Tree Planting

This spring the Village of East Aurora will be planting a varied palette of street trees. Open planting sites in the northeast quadrant will be the focus of the planting. Katsura, Red, Scarlet and English Oak, Sterling Silver Linden, Zelkova, Elm, Goldenrain, Persian Parottia, Amur Maackia and Ivory Silk Lilac trees, among others, will grace our streets come April.

English Oak

Katsuratree

Goldenrain Tree

Red Oak Fall Color

Amur Maackia

Sterling Silver Linden

Zelkova

Persian Parrotia in Autumn

American Elm

Tie a Purple Ribbon Round the Old Ash Tree

Purple ribbons have been tied around many of East Aurora's ash street trees as part of a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's attempt to raise awareness about the Emerald Ash Borer. Trees bearing purple ribbons are at risk, and the Village Tree Board hopes that residents will see the number of ash trees that will be lost if the Emerald Ash Borer is not contained. For more information about the Emerald Ash Borer, please read the following post.
 

Emerald Ash Borer - Coming Soon to an Ash Tree Near You!

Distinctive D-Shaped Exit Holes (3)

EAB Damage (2)

Emerald Ash Borer (1)

   

The Emerald Ash Borer has cut a swath of ash destruction across the US since it first entered the country in Detroit via packing materials from China around 2002. Whereas Dutch Elm Disease killed 200 million Elm trees, the EAB has the potential to destroy 7.5 Billion ash trees. With no natural enemies, it has advanced unchecked, gradually making its way to within 10 miles of East Aurora. With this destructive critter knocking on our door, the time to act to protect our beloved ash trees is now. Although an EAB infestation is fatal to the native ash trees, highly effective methods for prevention and treatment of infested trees over 50% intact are available from local tree care companies certified in pesticide application.

What should homeowners do? First, identify whether you have any ash trees on your property. White and green ashes are common in East Aurora, and were planted as park and street trees as recently as 12 years ago. Ash trees can be identified by their unique compound leaf structure composed of 5-11 opposing leaflets. Help identifying ash trees can be found on the EAB web page at www.emeraldashborer.info/identifyashtree.cfm.

Green Ash Leaf - opposite, pinnately compound, up to 12" long, 5 to 9 leaflets (4)

Green Ash Bark (5)

 

 If you do have ash trees on your property, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Senior Forester Patrick Marren recommends the following:

·        For healthy ash trees with a DBH (diameter at breast height) in excess of 6 inches, consider having a tree care company certified in pesticide application inoculate the tree annually. With a cost of around $100 per year, this option is much more affordable than removal, which for a large, mature tree could run in excess of $2,000.

·        For ash trees smaller than 6” in diameter, treatment is not recommended. A better option for trees of this size may be removal and replanting with a different species.

·        If you suspect your tree may already be infected, consult with your tree care company’s arborist for the best options.

Please do not attempt to treat your ash trees. Proper diagnosis is critical, as a number of diseases, including ash yellows, anthracnose and ash flower gall, have contributed to ash decline in recent years. A consultation with an arborist certified in pesticide application is your best bet. Arborists have been trained in pest identification, and can recommend the best course of treatment for your trees.

Emamectin Benzoate (TREE-äge, pronounced triage) is the most effective pesticide for Emerald Ash Borer protection and treatment. It is registered for use in New York State, but can be purchased and applied only by trained, certified arborists and landscapers. Emamectin Benzoate fact sheet link: http://emeraldashborer.info/files/Multistate_EAB_Insecticide_Fact_Sheet.pdf

Arborist treats an EAB infested tree with an Arborjet injection of TREE-äge (6)

 

For help identifying the EAB, please go to the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation's website at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/45428.html  Accurate sightings should be reported to the DEC’s EAB and Firewood hotline at 1-866-640-0652.

Helpful links:

Symptoms of EAB Infestation:

Signs and symptoms of EAB (PDF, 745 KB)

The International Society of Arboriculture maintains a list of local certified arborists at  

www.isa-arbor.com/faca/findArborist.aspx

Link to Emerald Ash Borer Website:

www.emeraldashborer.info

Help identifying ash trees: 

www.emeraldashborer.info/identifyashtree.cfm

New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation:

www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7253.html

www.dec.ny.gov/animals/45428.html (EAB identification)

New York State Invasive Species:

www.nyis.info/?action=eab

Morton Arboretum:

www.mortonarb.org/emerald-ash-borer-control.html

All photos courtesy of Bugwood.org:

(1) Howard Russell, Michigan State University

(2) David Cappaert, Michigan State University

(3) Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Forestry Archive

(4) Keith Kanoti, Main Forest Service

(5) Richard Webb, Self-employed horticulturist

(6) David Cappaert, Michigan State University

Persian Parrotia

This unusual small to medium-sized tree has leaves that emerge reddish-purple and unfold to lustrous green. The bark exfoliates to gray, green, white and brown colors, giving it plenty of winter interest. Enjoy this tree all year long!

Katsura Tree

The Katsura is a beautiful tree. It has great form, heart shaped leaves, and beautiful peachy fall color.

Village Conducts Annual Street Tree Planting

The village will be planting trees in a variety of locations throughout East Aurora this spring. As part of the continuing effort to diversify we will be planting a few Goldenrain Trees. With a mature height of approximately 40 feet, this tree is considered medium sized. It sports clusters of showy yellow blossoms in late June. Very tolerant of urban conditions, it has no serious pest or disease problems. Fall color is yellow. See if you can spot one in the village this June!

Celebrate Arbor Day in East Aurora April 30th

East Aurora will celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 30th at 2:00PM at the East Aurora High School. The ceremony will include a tree planting by the Ormsby Vocational Technical Center's Landscape/Greenhouse Management students, as well as presentation of research papers by East Aurora High School's Environmental Science students.

Celebrate Arbor Day - Plant a Tree :)

Prairiefire Crabapple

This disease-resistant crabapple has bright pinkish-red flowers, a rounded form and is a medium to fast growing variety which reaches 20 feet at maturity.

Zumi Crabapple

The Zumi Crabapple is one of the best disease-resistant crabapples. A nicely rounded small tree, it is a medium to fast grower.

Thornless Crusgalli Hawthorn

This ornamental tree is very hardy. It produces fluffy white blossoms in spring. It is a nice small to medium spreading tree and thrives under adverse conditions.

Katsuratree

This lovely tree has heart-shaped leaves which turn from coral to yellow in the fall. It reaches approximately 50 feet tall. In autumn, the leaves give off the sweet scent of baking cookies! This tree needs careful watering during the first three years in order to thrive, but the effort is well worth it!

Homestead Elm

A Dutch-Elm-Resistant Elm selection, the Homestead Elm sports dense, dark green foliage with yellow fall color. Its shape is oval, with an arching crown.

Red Oak

The Red Oak is a fast grower. It is a strong, long-lived tree with beautiful red fall color. A classic!

Kentucky Coffeetree

This tree can reach up to 75 feet at maturity. It has double-compound leaflets and provides dappled shade in summer. In winter mature trees have stark, picturesque silhouettes. It is highly adaptable to urban conditions. Fall color is yellow.

Centurion Crabapple

A disease-resistant crabapple with an upright form - perfect for restricted spots under wires. The Centurion reaches 20 feet, is a medium to fast-grower. It has a rose colored flower and purple to bronze-green foliage. Fruit is small and ornamental.

Serviceberry

The Serviceberry is the perfect small tree for confined places. It is a favorite of birds, has lovely spring flowers and good fall color. What's not to like?

Canadian Red Cherry

Foliage emerges green and turns a deep burgundy red by mid-summer. In spring this hybrid of the Chokecherry is covered in fluffy white blossoms. A fast grower, it reaches 25 feet at maturity.

Ivory Silk Lilac Tree

A tree form of Lilac that blooms in June. A charming tree with a compact rounded form, reaching 25 feet at maturity.

Turkish Filbert

We are excited to add this lovely tree to our street-tree inventory. This tree is broadly pyramidal and at maturity is a handsome, unique tree with textured dark green leaves. It is a medium to large tree with a 45+ foot height and 35 foot spread

Black Tupelo

Also called a Black Gum, the Tupelo has beautiful fall color and a shape reminiscent of a Pin Oak. This tree will take a few years to establish, but once it does it will become a lasting favorite.