By Jocelyn Bogen
February 11, 2008

Task Force Chair Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo led the Community Trees Taskforce January 24 in a discussion on ways mayors and their cities can get awards and money for local tree efforts.

The meeting opened with The Home Depot Foundation’s Program Manager DeAnn Fordham announcing the 2008 Excellence in Community Tree Awards finalists. Fordham gave an update on some of the community trees initiatives that have been implemented in Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Miami.

Dan Lambe, Arbor Day Foundation Vice President of Programs, provided information on the Foundation’s recognition programs. The Arbor Day Foundation sponsors the Tree City USA program that promotes core standards of urban forestry management and recognizes mayors and cities for their leadership. Another program that recognizes mayors is the Tree Line USA Program, which honors mayors and community leaders of municipal owned utilities that meet core standards of tree care in utility arboriculture.

Alice Walker, Alliance for Community Trees Executive Director, gave a brief update on the Sustainable Urban Forest Coalition meeting held in Washington, and highlighted some ways the National Neighborwoods Program can assist mayors in managing their urban forests.

Dr. Scott J. Josiah, Nebraska Forest Service State Forester and Director, briefed the task force on the Emerald Ash Borer threat. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive, highly destructive pest that poses a major threat to our rural and urban forests. EAB kills all native ash species. First identified in 2002, almost ten years after its introduction to the U.S. from China, it has already been identified in over eight states and poses greater danger. One way it has been transporting itself is through infested firewood. “Unfortunately it takes approximately three to fou years to detect and has killed more than 30 million ash trees and put hundreds of more at risk. The economic impact for this country is going to be in the tens of millions,” added Joshiah. State and federal quarantines are currently in place. The cost of replacing trees lost to EAB can average $600 to $800 per tree.