Mt. Prospect gets aggressive against ash borer

Mount Prospect residents who have trees infested with the emerald ash borer or elm bark beetle will have to remove the trees at their own expense.

Homeowners will have 10 days to remove infected trees after receiving a notice from the village's public works department, under requirements approved by the village board on Tuesday.

The aggressive stance is prompted by the fact that one out of every six trees in Mount Prospect is an ash.

Removing a tree can cost anywhere between $500 and $1,000 depending on age and location, District Forestry Superintendent Sandy Clark told the board last month.

Not removing infested trees has a penalty. The village can remove trees after the 10-day period and charge residents for the cost. If the cost isn't paid within 90 days, a lien can be placed on the property.

Approved changes to the village code allow village officials to inspect trees on private property, after giving notice, where there's probable cause trees could be infected.

An ash tree can be infested, according to the village, if an emerald ash borer is found in any life cycle stage or the tree is more than half dead. It's also infested if shoots sprout from trunks, the tree canopy starts to die back, bark begins to split, s-shaped feeding galleries and d-shaped exit holes are found, or a woodpecker injury is located.

The new rules also make it unlawful to keep an infected tree, logs, stumps or wood piles after the 10-day period. It allows prohibits the sale of infected wood.

Mount Prospect is one of about 125 Illinois communities that has reported the presence of the emerald ash borer. Arborists found evidence of infestation last month on five trees near East Henry and North Albert streets.