On April 3, 2024, the City of Lennox was officially notified of the presence of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Lennox. This invasive insect uses ash trees as a home and food source, eventually killing any infected and untreated ash tree. This announcement comes with impacts on hundreds of properties in Lennox, including the City’s public parks. As a community, our goal and responsibility is to limit the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer as much as possible, and doing so will take work on the behalf of specific properties and the City as a whole.
The City has already started the process of mitigating the damage of Emerald Ash Borer within town. There are two options for mitigating the impacts of this infestation; removal of ash trees and treatment of trees infected by the insect. The first step in this process was identifying and assessing the ash trees located in Westerman Park, as that was where the insect was first confirmed. Aspen Arboriculture Solutions near Lennox conducted this assessment last week. Based on that assessment, the City will be removing ash trees in Westerman Park that are assessed to be in poor or fair condition, and will likely be treating trees noted in good condition. Residents will begin seeing a pink or red spraypainted ‘X’ on trees that will be removed in the coming days, and removal will start within weeks.
The City of Lennox is also the recipient of the South Dakota Urban Forestry Grant in 2024. This grant was originally awarded for the replacement of several park trees that were destroyed over several years of summer storms, including the 2021 tornado. In discussions with the DANR, it appears as though there is a willingness to transition that grant to a new focus on Emerald Ash Borer recovery, thereby allowing the City to focus on replacing trees that will be removed this year.
Over the course of the next several weeks, City staff will be working on an Emerald Ash Borer response plan that addresses the bulk of the trees in City parks and along public streets and alleys. Additionally, staff from the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and South Dakota State University will fly a drone through town this summer to assess the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer throughout town. The City will be sure to share any information available on this assessment, as it will greatly impact the steps property owners take to protect their own properties and trees.
All residents are encouraged to visit the state’s Emerald Ash Borer website for additional information on the insect, its effects, and how to best respond to the infestation.