'City in a forest' faces constant threat to trees
Lewis DiuguidKansas City’s bounty of trees has earned it the nickname of “city in a forest.”
However, that moniker creates for the town a lot of associated problems. Early snow and ice storms or fierce thunderstorms usually bring down a lot of trees and kill the electricity to hundreds of homes and businesses.
Disease and pests also are a problem. Dutch elm disease wiped out thousands of trees in town years ago.
Now add The Kansas City Star reports today that the emerald ash borer is a new threat to Kansas City’s trees. The tree-destroying pest has migrated to the area from the east and could do in 40,000 trees along Kansas City streets.
Watering, pruning and keeping ash trees healthy is the best defense. The bugs generally go after distressed and unhealthy trees.
Richard W. Jennings Author
10 months agoMost people seem to think that once a tree is planted, it will remain for many years, like architecture. But trees are plants and need routine care such as food and water and pruning, especially the non-native species preferred by developers. If you care about your home, care for your trees. And plant (or allow to grow) new ones from time-to-time. - RWJ, Merriam, KS