COLUMBUS,
OH â After
the non-native Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was discovered at some Ohio
State Parks in western Ohio, the Ohio Department of Natural Resourcesâ
(ODNR) Division
of Forestry and Ohio State Parks formed a partnership to remove the
affected ash trees.
âThe
Division of Forestry brings a level of expertise to this project that
allows these
infested trees to be removed safely, quickly and in a cost-effective way
from these state parks,â said ODNR Deputy Director Glen Cobb. âWhile it
is disappointing to lose the ash trees, their removal is necessary to
protect the safety of our visitors, which
is our biggest priority.â
According to Gregg Maxfield, ODNR northern district forest manager, approximately 700-800
ash trees will be removed from Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, Indian Lake State Park and Lake Loramie State Park.
The
ODNR Division of Forestry started working on removing trees from Indian
Lake State
Park on Dec. 11 before starting at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park.
According to Maxfield, the tree removal at Grand Lake St. Marys and Lake
Loramie will be completed, weather-permitting, by the end of this week.
He anticipates removal of the trees from the
three state parks will be finished by early January.
The
leftover wood from the trees is free to any individual at each of the
three state
parks in designated areas from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week. All
interested individuals should contact the park offices for more
information. It is recommended that firewood from the ash trees be
burned locally by April.
The
park managers for the three state parks are encouraging people to
participate in the
Adopt-a-Tree program or donate a tree to replace the ash trees that will
be removed. People interested in adopting a tree, giving a financial
gift or donating a tree may contact the individual park offices for more
information.
- Grand Lake St. Marys State Park and Lake Loramie State Park: 419-394-3611
- Indian Lake State Park: 937-843-2717