Save Your Ash!

City of Grand Rapids Ash Tree Alert

I have been alerted that the Riverside Park (Knapp Entrance) and also the Fuller Street (Moving North of the 96) have seen trees coming down. The ones on Fuller appear to be Ash. We need to act fast to stop the city from removing trees until at least after the April 15th Save Your Ash community forum.

The unfortunate part is our city's policy appears to be for the mass removal of our ash trees. This removal policy HAS NOT halted the spread the pest as it has moved from each ward of our city.

I am wanting also to begin to raise the question if we have the right person in this position? Are they structured under Parks and Recreation or Traffic. We know from the past that Traffic has not been a friend to neighborhoods.

In short, the policy whispered from leaders within our community is that allegedly we have a forestry person (Bob Paasche - City Urban Forester and CNA Member) who FAVORS removing trees.

WMEAC is hosting a SAVE YOUR ASH forum next week. They may be announcing exciting new solutions to save the ash trees.

I had a great, but anonymous source answer my questions, it has been said that , "They will be treating these trees (those marked with an orange dot) with an injection method, not a drench method (drench = dumpling a bucket of chemicals at the base of a tree).

So it's not likely that much, if any, will get into the Grand River.

However, you are correct that the chemical, imidacloprid, being injected is toxic to some birds, insects (especially bees), fish and especially aquatic invertebrates. But it's also important to understand that people REGULARLY dump this chemical on their lawns to control grubs and it's WIDELY used on agricultural products. It is yet another example of a chemical NOT 'regulated' by the EPA."

We need a better solution and Riverside and ALL OUR PARKS needs to ride it out until we get this new product on the treatment list.

I am concerned that our newsletter will not reach people in time to get the word out.

So first line of defense is to organize and fast.

We need to get as many people to the Save Your Ash event. I am willing to help car pool people and will be able to take 4 people with me. (I would prefer a full car load.)

We do not have a lot of time on this matter and we need to press the city before all contracts are signed for the summer on these matters. (In truth we may be too late, but we should still try.)

Commissioner Bliss alerted us in the winter months to get geared up for this fight, now we owe it to one of Grand Rapids' greenest sections to protect our trees.

Will you join us in alerting members of your list of the event below?

Please encourage people to bring camera phones, camcorders to record these proceedings. Every little bit of viral video we can get on a public person's comment further aids our cause to make sure the people's wishes are being carried out. Allegedly from my source, Bob was laughing at a recent meeting over the idea of people trying to save trees.


EVENT DETAILS:


Save Your Ash! Public Forum
Tue, April 15, 2008 - 6:00pm
Save Your Ashes! Whether they're in your yard, block or neighborhood, the information shared at this forum will provide options and opportunities to preserve the Ash Trees that are important and valuable to you. Mark your calendar!
Click here to download a PDF flier about this event.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Plymouth Congregational UCC Church
4010 Kalamazoo SE (between 32nd and 44th streets)
Grand Rapids, MI 49508

A diverse group of speakers will share a variety of views and perspectives about your opportunities to prevent disease and/or removal of your Ash Tree(s).

Speakers include:
Deb McCullough, MSU's National Ash Tree Expert
Greg Sundstrom, City of Grand Rapids
Vic Foerster, West Michigan Tree Services
Brian Hiemstra, Bartlett Tree Services

LINKS: SAVE YOUR ASH ( with a counter! )