Decorah continues to address the city's tree health

It appears the emerald ash borer disease is more advanced in the city of Decorah than previously thought. Decorah is now in the 5th year of EAB infestation.

Decorah has approximately 2,100 boulevard trees in the main portion of the city's center - about 50% maple and 14% ash. Of this total, 4% are considered to be in good condition, 67% fair, and 29% poor. In order to address the issue, a recommendation has been made to increase the city's tree removal budget in order to remove about 100 trees per year over the next three to four years.

According to City Manager Chad Bird, "The city will need to assess the increased demand on our tree removal budget through the budget process this fall. Based on a recommendation from the city forester, the tree board and the parks and recreation director, the city council will need to assess the importance of the requested increase against other demands on the tax revenues available in the general fund. If funds are available in the general fund and the cost to remove the trees is deemed a priority, those extra dollars would be allocated from the city's general property tax revenues. It is hoped that the replacement costs could come from grants or other sources of revenue."