Taking an Ax to Some Ash Trees

Nov 27, 2013

Credit lexingtonky.gov

Kentucky parks officials are allowing a limited harvest of ash trees at General Butler State Resort Park.  Many trees are feeling the effects of the emerald ash borer.  Parks officials say the project will take place during the winter when the northern Kentucky park has fewer visitors.

 Proceeds from the harvest will go back to the park to plant new trees and help pay for treating some ash trees with insecticide. The park system could not afford to treat all the ash trees at General Butler. Officials considered doing nothing but say that would have left a large number of dead trees and posed a safety risk. The emerald ash borer insect larva lives under the bark of ash trees, feeding on water and nutrients, eventually killing the trees.