MA Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program

Last Updated on Monday, 22 June 2009 15:04 Written by Rob Anderson Monday, 27 April 2009 21:29

Massachusetts Asian Longhorned Beetle Cooperative Eradication Program Removing Storm-Generated Woody Debris within the Highly Infested Core of the Regulated Area.

Responding to the ice storms that recently hit New England, ALB Program partners have arranged for woody debris to be removed from residential property within the area hardest hit by storm damage. It will be chipped for proper disposal by representatives of several tree care companies. Mayer Tree Service, Inc. is performing this work.

Massachusetts homeowners are advised that the Asian Longhorned Beetle Cooperative Eradication Program has crews working to remove downed limbs, branches and woody debris from residential properties within the highly infested sector of the 63-square mile area regulated due to the presence of the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB). This work is being performed at no cost to homeowners with homeowners' signed permission. Safe disposal of this debris is critical to keep the ALB infestation from spreading. Responding to the ice storms that recently hit New England, ALB Program partners have arranged for woody debris to be removed from residential property within the area hardest hit by storm damage. It will be chipped for proper disposal by representatives of several tree care companies. Mayer Tree Service, Inc. is performing this work.

The ALB Program partners currently have twelve log loading trucks and six clean up crews concentrating their efforts throughout a 15-square mile area experiencing acute storm damage. Residents of this area can help by moving woody debris curbside (but not into the street) to facilitate pick-up. Those who cannot move wood curbside will have woody debris removed by the ALB Program crews with signed permission to access their property. Such permission will also be needed for the ALB Program to remove from private property any ALB host trees that are a safety hazard. ALB Program employees are going door-to-door seeking that approval and answering questions.

Debris removal efforts are taking place simultaneously throughout the portion of the regulated area most impacted. The Massachusetts ALB regulated area encompasses the towns of Worcester, Holden, Shrewsbury, Boylston and West Boylston. Debris cleanup is ongoing in the hard hit sectors of Worcester, Holden and West Boylston. All woody debris must be taken to the Ararat Street Wood Disposal site in Worcester by companies under compliance with the ALB program. There, it will be chipped to the size necessary to destroy all lifestages of the ALB present in the wood. Access to the Ararat Street Wood Disposal site is available for woody debris from all towns within the ALB regulated area. The debris does not have to be from verified infested ALB host trees. It may be wood of any sort from within the regulated area.

While homeowners may certainly engage companies to remove woody debris, these companies must be under compliance with the ALB Cooperative Eradication Program. This ensures that the companies performing this work have access to the Ararat Street Wood Disposal site property. The ALB Program cannot reimburse homeowners who use private companies for this work. If property owners should have any questions, please feel free to call 508-799-8330.