FORT PIERRE — The City of Fort Pierre had a plan for starting to thin out ash trees on public land in advance of the eventual arrival of the emerald ash borer. The plan, much like ash trees in other cities, got axed, but only by the Fort Pierre City Council. Public Works Director Rick Hahn says the plan is designed to help residents with ash tree removal…
Councilman Greg Kenzy was concerned about the city cutting down land owner trees setting precedent…
Coucilman Larry Cronin wanted more time to consider the plans…
A motion to approve a contract for the work failed on a three-two vote. A second motion to delay action for two weeks was approved by the full Council. Officials intend to save healthy trees in Fort Pierre parks but remove trees that are not healthy enough to be worth treating. The emerald ash borer is projected to impact central South Dakota by 2028 or sooner if infected wood is brought to the area.
