South Brunswick Township Preparing for Emerald Ash Borer
The South Brunswick Township Council has approved a township wide street side and park tree inventory, with the major goal to identify the locations, quantity, condition, and size of Ash Trees located on public property. This inventory will provide data to develop a mitigation plan for the Emerald Ash Borer, a devastating invasive insect which feeds on the inner bark of Ash Trees. Additional goals include removal of potentially hazardous trees and replanting with new alternate species.
The Emerald Ash Borer has been identified in South Brunswick by the NJ State Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the South Brunswick Shade Tree Commission. It is very difficult to detect until tree decline has begun. Very high, if not total, mortality of Ash Trees can be expected, with tree death usually occurring within 2-4 years as insect populations rise.
For more information and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the South Brunswick Township Website and navigate to the Shade Tree Commission’s FAQ page by clicking on Departments\Public Works\ShadeTree from the main page.
Residents with any other questions and/or concerns pertaining to the Emerald Ash Borer and trees in their neighborhood can contact the Township Tree Expert via the Public Works Department by emailing sbtrees@sbtnj.net or by calling 732-329-4000 x7278.