Saving Beadle Park ash trees

Arborist Richard Kittelson and Cresco Public Works Director Rod Freidhof inspected the 17 ash trees in Beadle Park recently. Depending on the cost, Freidhof is hoping to treat and preserve one-third of the trees. 

Kittelson said there are several factors he looks at in determining the feasibility of saving an ash, including:

• Epicormic sprouts or shoots, which is an excessive amount of shoots coming off the trunk and main branches of the tree

• Decay in major branches

• Tight ‘Y’ unions where bark is being forced out and looks bunched up

The arborist said the stem injection rate has a 99 percent success rate.

After the first look, only four of the trees seem to be practical to treat, according to Kittelson. One or two other quotes will also be reviewed by city council and park board members.

Cresco City Council is still considering what to do with all the other ash trees on city property, including boulevard and parks.

Freidhof is getting quotes on having all the trees taken down in one year. The work would be split into several quadrants, yet to be determined.

The Emerald Ash Borer was discovered in Howard County, specifically Cresco, in June. Cresco is looking at destroying 420-450 ash trees before they become too unstable or deterioated and start losing limbs or entire trees.