Deadly Emerald Ash Borer Upon Us

The Asian insect ravaging the Midwest's ash trees has been spotted in Shorewood.

"We're part of the problem now," Trustee Dan Anderson said during Thursday night's village board meeting as he revealed that the emerald ash borer has made its way into .

Village workers placed traps around town during the summer and "we have a couple confirmations," Anderson said.

During a presentation at village hall in August, representatives from a company selling anti-ash borer products warned that the foreign pest can destroy an ash tree population within a year.

Nearly 30 percent of Shorewood's trees are ash, leaving the village particularly vulnerable to an emerald ash borer attack.

Shorewood Public Works Director Roger Barrowman led an effort earlier this year to take preventive measures against the emerald ash borer. Ash trees on village property were treated with a chemical injection, protecting them from the invasive species of insect. But not every tree in town was treated. Also, ash trees on private property must be taken care of by the respective land owner.

Mayor Rick Chapman suggested the village place a list of companies in the business of treating ash trees on Shorewood's website to make it easier for property owners to find help.

Trustee James "Mac" McDonald warned residents not to purchase firewood from out of town for fear of further infecting Shorewood, and Trustee Dan Gron questioned whether it would be more cost effective to simply dispose of smaller ash trees as opposed to treating them.

"If we want to replace the trees it's better sooner rather than later," Gron said.