More ash trees coming down

SimcoeReformer.ca
Sept. 7, 2016
Monte Sonnenberg

Another tender has been approved in Norfolk's long, expensive campaign to rid county lands of dead ash trees.

Clean Up of Simcoe was again the successful bidder in Round 2 of the county-wide chop-a-thon.

Five firms vied for the job Aug. 30. Clean Up bid $98,600 for the right to cut down and dispose of 425 dead ash trees.

"It's a very reasonable price we've received," Mayor Charlie Luke said at Tuesday's meeting of Norfolk council. "I've done the math and it's about $230 a tree. I know they come in all sizes but it has to be done properly."

Clean Up's price compares with a bid of $217,000 from numbered company 2229636 Ontario Incorporated.

The budget for this round of tenders was set at $200,000.

Because there are so many dead ash trees on county land, council has agreed to free up the remaining $101,400 for ongoing and immediate removal. Trees targeted are located along Norfolk roads, in Oakwood Cemetery, and parks in Simcoe and Port Dover.

"Forestry staff has identified high-risk ash trees within the urban areas of Courtland, Delhi, Langton, Long Point, Port Dover, Port Rowan, Simcoe and Waterford that should be removed," Norfolk arborist Adam Chamberlin said in a report to council.

"These trees are dead or dying and present a significant risk to the public living within these areas and who use Norfolk County-owned lands for transportation and recreation."

Norfolk staff estimates it will cost nearly $650,000 to remove all ash trees on county land that have died within the past two years from the emerald ash borer infestation. The matter is of some urgency because dead trees on county land dropping limbs on people, vehicles and buildings represent a serious liability hazard.