Ash trees like these in Cornelius are at risk from emerald ash borer. Oregon officials will be inspecting on Wednesday morning which trees might be protected with treatment, even as already infested trees in Forest Grove are cut down to slow the spread of this invasive pest.

WHEN: Wednesday morning, April 24, 2024

WHERE: Forest Grove and Cornelius, Oregon

WHAT: State agencies in Oregon and their local and federal partners are trying a two-pronged approach to slowing the spread of the destructive tree-killing insect pest emerald ash borer (EAB) in urban areas. The first involves felling and chipping ash trees already infested with the pest. The second involves treating healthy ash trees in good condition with a systemic insecticide to protect them from infestation. A third phase this fall will involve the planting of different tree species that are not at risk from EAB.

First Stop - Forest Grove: Matt Mills, Oregon Dept. of Agriculture’s Project Manager for the Slow Ash Mortality (SLAM) strategy will be on site and available for interviews as a contractor fells ash trees infested with emerald ash borer (EAB) and feeds debris into a chipper. 

TIME: 9:30 a.m. 

MEET AT: 1218 Emily Street, Forest Grove, Oregon (Park on Emily Street)

VISUALS: Workers with chainsaws felling ash street trees infested with EAB in a residential neighborhood and chipping the wood to destroy larvae. 

SOUNDS: Chainsaws, crashing noise as trees come down, grinding noise as debris is fed into chipper.

Second Stop – Cornelius:  Oregon Dept. of Forestry’s Urban Assistance Forester Alison Herrell  will be on site and available for interviews as she works with local officials to identify healthy urban ash trees that will later be treated later with an insecticide to protect them from EAB.

TIME: 10:45 a.m.

MEET AT: Intersection of Alpine Street and 23^rd, Cornelius, Oregon

VISUALS: Alison walking down residential street examining street trees, including measuring their size with a diameter tape and inspecting them for health and any signs of EAB. Alison will also have along the systemic injection equipment to demonstrate how it works to protect trees.

RSVP: Please let Public Affairs Officer Jim Gersbach know if you plan to attend one or both stops. He will be on site with local colleagues to help with interviews, filming and recording. 

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