The City of Madison established an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Task Force in January 2008. In 2013, EAB was discovered in Madison and since its discovery, the forestry section has been following the approved City of Madison Emerald Ash Borer Plan. This plan, which is updated annually based on new research, is presented to the Common Council each year. The 2018 EAB Plan Update was presented in February 2019.

Pre-emptive removals of all ash trees on city property is anticipated to be completed in 2020 before the trees leaf out for the season.

Following the Plan

Protecting Ash Trees

During the spring the City implements a chemical treatment program for trees that are in healthy condition and over 10 inches diameter. The city uses injection treatments versus soil drench treatments to ensure the protection of ground and surface water quality. The latest map shows EAB treatment areas by Alder districts.

Madison Parks began an "Adopt-a-Park Tree" program for private citizens to help save, at their own expense, a publicly-owned ash tree in a City of Madison park. For more information, visit the Parks Divsion's Adopt-a-Park Tree. An orange dot is used for ash trees scheduled for removal within in parks.

 

Removing Ash Trees

Ash trees will be removed or have been removed due to one or more of the following criteria:

Staff place notices on each of the affected household's doorknobs during the inspection.  As with all trees that have been selected for removal, ash tree(s) to be removed will be marked with a yellow dot on the street side of the trunk.

Forestry replants street trees in most locations. Tree planting occurs in April and October depending on the tree species. This process can take up to three growing seasons.