Arlington Heights making right move

Congratulations to the village of Arlington Heights for taking a positive step in controlling the emerald ash borer.

The village board recommended a cost-sharing program to incentivize residents to treat the village ash trees in their parkways. With 37 percent of all trees in the village being ash and will die without treatment, this is a good first step in lowering the loss of the tree canopy.

EAB moves like a tornado in its damage and streets with 100 percent ash will be devastated if not treated. Michigan State University research shows treatment works and ash trees can be preserved for the benefit of the entire community.

I applaud the board and public works staff for listening and being open to the changing dynamics of this situation. Research will likely continue to show, as it does now, that treatment is not only nearly 100 percent effective but it is also the most cost-effective solution for the village.

It is cheaper to inject and save trees than to remove 37 percent of the trees in the village. A smart plan of ash replacement while slowing the destruction through injection is the best course of action for the future of the tree canopy in Arlington Heights.

Scott Jamieson

Arlington Heights