Page last updated on September 7, 2021 at 1:16 pm
Emerald Ash Borer disease was first discovered in Monroe County in 2008, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources confirmed the presence of EAB within city limits in 2012. EAB infestations are fatal to ash trees unless treated by a chemical insecticide.
Local Contact for Questions
Amy Thompson
Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Purdue Cooperative Extension Service - Monroe County
(812) 349-2575 or afthompson@purdue.edu
The City of Bloomington highly values its urban trees and all the benefits they provide, as evidenced by Bloomington's status as Indiana's first Tree City USA. Bloomington has earned that distinction every year since 1984, a clear reflection of the City's commitment to the health and well-being of its urban forest.The latest challenge to Bloomington's Urban Forestry program is the emerald ash borer. Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a beetle native to Asia that attacks and destroys ash trees.
The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department updated a 2007 ash street tree inventory in March 2015, locating and inspecting ash trees in the public rights of way (typically in tree plots between the street edge and sidewalk). This inventory/inspection was used to create the EAB Management Plan for City of Bloomington Street Trees, which was presented to and approved by the Board of Park Commissioners at their May 11, 2015 meeting.
- EAB Management Plan for City of Bloomington Street Trees, 2015-2019(PDF 38.15 KB)
- Certified Arborists in Bloomington, Indiana who can provide professional advice about EAB, and/or conduct chemical treatments for EAB
- Application for Permit to Treat Trees on Public Land for Emerald Ash Borer(PDF 56.83 KB)
Residents may opt to pay for the chemical treatment of ash trees in the public right-of-way with an approved EAB insecticide to prevent EAB infestation and the removal of the tree. This permit application form must be submitted to the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department at least 7 days prior to the date the chemical treatment is to take place.