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Emerald Ash Borer hits West Lafayette

West Lafayette is going to start removing trees that have the Emerald Ash Borer.

The beetle was found around the city and forester Bev Shaw says the plan is to get rid of all of those infected.

However, she says the process will be done over time.

“We are not going to go out and clear cut ash trees that are not yet hazardous.  They are still serving an important function in terms of cleaning air, cooling pavement, and coolant ambient air temperatures, and capturing storm water," said Shaw.  "We will leave them while they are good.  We will take them down when they become hazardous.”

Shaw says the city has started planting a variety of trees to reduce loss in case of another infection in the future.

"We knew it was coming and the number one thing we could do was to start planting new trees of a mix of species as fast as we can," she said.  "We've been planting trees as fast as we can so at least they have a few years under their belt before we lose the ash trees."

Emerald Ash Borer was found in Lafayette last year and all but 13 counties throughout the state.

Researchers say infected trees that are not treated will die within four to five years.

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