Ash Tree Removal Underway

Due to emerald ash borer infestation, Howard County’s Department of Public Works has begun removing ash trees along various county-owned roadways throughout Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Jessup, Laurel and Woodbine. Weather permitting, the trees (stumps and all) will be removed by the end of winter, and have all the trees replaced, where appropriate, by next spring or fall. The county will be not removing any trees located on private property.
The roadways included in this round of tree removal include the following streets in the Village of River Hill:
Empty Song Road;
Fairest Dream Lane;
Garden Walk;
Golden Star Place;
Jeweled Hand Circle; and
Old Romance Row.
Ash trees are the most common type of landscaping tree used in the United States and to western Maryland forests. The emerald ash borer is a serious, exotic, invasive insect that feeds on and can cause significant damage to ash trees, including death, particularly in one to three years after infestation. The insect is not harmful to humans.
Signs of the emerald ash borer infestation include death of twigs and branches at the treetops, discolored leaves, water sprouts and D-shaped holes in the bark where the larvae emerge. Residents who spot signs of infestation on their ash trees are asked to contact Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) at 410-841-5920. For more information on the emerald ash borer, visit MDA’s website at http://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Pages/eab.aspx.
For questions or concerns about the ash tree removal, contact Lisa Brightwell, Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.