Tree Committee

The goal of the Huntington Tree Committee is to develop and coordinate a comprehensive approach to trees on municipal property and in the Town’s rights-of-way. This includes continuing the work of the Ad Hoc EAB Committee in administering the Town’s EAB Management Plan, adapting to evolving conditions as the emerald ash borer makes its way to the town’s ash trees. It also includes developing a Municipal Shade Tree Plan, conducting municipal tree inventories, educating the public on municipal and general tree matters, and other tree-related concerns as appropriate.

---

Emerald Ash Borer

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an exotic beetle that was discovered in Michigan in 2002. The adult beetles eat ash foliage and cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage), however, feed on the inner bark of ash trees which disrupts the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. An ash tree is infested with EAB will die within 1-5 years (if not treated) and may become a saftey hazard. As of October 2018, EAB has been found in 35 states, including VT where several towns have reported EAB. Ash trees comprise approximately 5% of Vermont forests and are also a very common urban tree. EAB threatens white ash, green ash and black ash in Vermont.
The Huntington Tree Committee, the Tree Warden and the Huntington Conservation Commission are taking the lead on preparing for the eventual arrival of EAB in our community. With support from from VT Urban and Community Forestry, the effort started with an inventory of Ash trees along road rights-of-way.

In 2019 and 2020, volunteers surveyed ROWs along the approximately 43 miles of town roads to create an inventory of where ash trees are located.
We developed a smartphone app that allowed for easy collection of data which was then integrated into the development of a preparedness plan.

---

---