Glen Ridge combats emerald ash borers

Glen Ridge is taking steps to protect the borough from an invasive insect species that could kill local trees.

During the summer, the Glen Ridge Department of Public Works will remove and replace ash trees that are under 6 inches tall to mitigate the risk of the emerald ash borer.

The ash borer is a metallic green insect about one-half inch long and one-eighth inch wide. The female beetles lay eggs on the bark of ash trees, and the larvae feed off the tree, cutting off the flow of nutrients and eventually killing the it, according to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

Ash borers have killed millions of trees in New Jersey since 2002, and have been found in Bergen, Essex, Burlington, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset and Warren counties.

The Glen Ridge Shade Tree Commission performed an evaluation to help come up with a plan to protect the borough from the insects, according to Borough Councilmember Arthur Dawson.

“They’re really doing damage,” said Dawson.

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Ash trees taller than 6 inches were injected with pesticides to repel the ash borers. The pesticide will need to be reapplied every two to three years, Dawson said. 

Residents with an ash tree that will be removed in front of their house will be notified through a letter in the mail by the Shade Tree Commission, according to Dawson.

Councilmember Peter Hughes said it’s disappointing to have to deal with the issue.

“It just shows you the value of having a Shade Tree Commission that’s paying attention to issues,” Hughes said.

The branches on dead ash trees become brittle and cause the risk of breaking off and damaging nearby property, according to Borough Administrator Michael Rohal. 

Going forward, Dawson said the borough will plant trees of different species so that if there is an problem with one type of tree, then it will not affect all of those trees planted in Glen Ridge. 

Rohal said he did not know how many ash trees are planted in Glen Ridge. 

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com