For those that have seen caution tape up at Bridgeport City Park or in and around other city facilities there’s no need to worry. Instead, most of the situations – if not all – likely involve the removal of Ash Trees.

 

“We’ve removed 12 to 15 already at Bridgeport City Park,” said Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department Director Don Burton. “At City Park alone we have roughly 65 that we need to drop.”

 

Earlier this year Bridgeport City Council approved $33,000 for the Parks and Recreation Department for the removal of various Ash Trees around the park properties. Bridgeport Safety Manager Matt Looker explained earlier this year that the trees are dying all across West Virginia as part of an invasive species known as emerald ash borers.

 

“They came from the Great Lakes by way of shipping containers and they made their way through the interstate system when wood was being moved for the use of firewood,” said Looker in June. “You can see how it’s traveled through areas and it’s finally here.”

 

The borer is actually a jewel beetle native to northeastern Asia that feeds on ash tree species. The damage occurs when females lay eggs in bark crevices on the trees. The larvae feed underneath the bark of ash trees to emerge as adults in one to two years. It is considered extremely damaging to ash trees throughout North America.

 

Before the trees can cause damage, the city has proactively decided to remove them. The process has begun and Burton said it began mid-July and could continue into late fall or even resume next spring.

 

“After a tree is felled by the contractor, the Parks and Recreation staff and Public Works Department goes in and cleans up the debris from the fallen trees,” said Burton. “The larger pieces are hauled away and the smaller pieces are put into a city-owned chipper.”

 

Burton said he knows there’s been some limited inconveniences as areas where trees are removed are blocked off. Caution tape is up and the areas can clearly be seen.

 

“It’s for public safety,” said Burton. “We hate to block the trails or any area in City Park or other city venues, but this is just for a limited time.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows City Parks and Public Works staff, while the contractor is shown below.