Business on ash borer: ‘Get on top of this now’

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The emerald ash borer can be found in ash trees all over Sioux Falls.

The bug was first discovered in the city in 2018, and it’s not going away.

Trees are an important part of Tower Campground in Sioux Falls.

Not only do they cut down on traffic noise, but they provide shade to campers.

“They’ve been traveling in the heat. They just want to sit, relax under the shade,” Tower Campground regional manager Brenda Sargent said.

But 17 of the ash trees on the property are being removed this year because of the emerald ash borer.

“This bug is just outrageous, and you need to get on top of it,” Sargent said.

The trees were marked for removal by the City of Sioux Falls, during its annual forest health survey.

This year, the city identified over 500 ash trees on private property that need to be removed.

“For Emerald Ash Borer, once the trees get to a certain point they are unpredictable and they pose significant risk, not only to their properties, but to their neighbor’s properties, and they can be out there on the calmest, nicest day and all of a sudden that tree could fail,” City of Sioux Falls Park Forestry Supervisor Matt Hart said.

Sargent hopes to save some of the ash trees at the campground by getting them treated.

As Tower Campground tackles the emerald ash borer, Sargent has a message for other property owners: don’t waste any time.

“Get on top of this before it gets any worse. Seriously, get involved, get that bid out there, get your trees taken care of,” Sargent said.

Towner Campground also plans on planting new trees.

The city has a list of licensed arborists to consult about ash trees.