Janesville adjusts emerald ash borer strategy

JANESVILLE, Wis. — The city of Janesville is changing its strategy for fighting emerald ash borer after an inventory found far fewer ash trees on public property.

The new inventory shows Janesville has only about 350 ash trees on public property — not 15,000 as earlier estimated.

Parks Director Tom Presny says the earlier estimate was formed after consulting with the state Department of Natural Resources and similar-sized communities and assuming Janesville would have a similar number of ash trees.

The city already has treated 136 trees in developed parks against emerald ash borer.

The Janesville Gazette reports the new estimate will change how the city uses its forestry budget for 2013.

Originally, $25,000 was set aside to hire a consultant forester. Instead, that money will go toward treating the remaining 210 trees.