HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-17 City Arborist
Mayor Robert E. Simison Strader Liz Perreault Jessica Brad Hoaglun CavenerLuke Borton Joe Treg Bernt City Council Members:
The Emerald Ash Borer is a Highly Invasive Exotic species considered to be a major threat. This invasive
pest has caused massive damage, devastating Ash tree populations in the Eastern and Midwestern United
States. The Emerald Ash Borer has been tracked as far west as Colorado, and it will only be a matter of
time before the pest arrives in Idaho and the Treasure Valley.
The current inventory of the Urban Canopy in the City of Meridian is composed of greater than 15%
Fraxinus. Which does not consider trees that are on private property or Right of ways, which would
definitely be a higher percentage. Therefore, in an effort to comply with Integrated Pest Management Best
Practices, it is strongly recommended by the Meridian City Arborist that alternative genera are used for
new plantings and new developments in the City of Meridian.
Recommended Alternatives to Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) for the Treasure Valley
Acer miyabei- Miyabe Maple (Rugged Ridge®, State Street®)
Acer truncatum Shangtung Maple (and/or Hybrids)
o Crimson Sunset®
o Norwegian Sunset®
o Pacific Sunset®
o Urban Sunset®
Celtis occidentalis- Common Hackberry
Corylus colurna- Turkish Filbert
Eucommia ulmoides- Hardy Rubber Tree
Gingko biloba- Gingko
Gymnocladus dioicus- Kentucky Coffee Tree
o (preferably ‘Espresso-JFS’ seedless)
Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis- Thornless Honeylocust
o EXCEPT ‘Suncole’ or Sunburst®
Liquidambar styraciflua- Sweetgum
Liriodendron tulipifera- Tulip Tree
Ostrya virginiana- American Hophornbeam
Platanus X acerifolia- London Planetree
Quercus bicolor- Swamp White Oak
Quercus muehlenbergii- Chinkapin Oak
Tilia americana/cordata/tomentosa- Linden (American, Little Leaf, or Silver)
Ulmus hybrids- Elm Hybrids
Matthew Perkins | City Arborist
City of Meridian | Parks and Recreation
33 E. Broadway Ave., Suite 206, Meridian, Idaho 83642
Phone: 208.888.3579 | Mobile: 208.371.1755 | Fax: 208.898.5501
City of Meridian, Department of Parks & Recreation
33 East Broadway, Suite 206, Meridian, ID 83642
Telephone (208) 888-3579 Fax (208) 898-5501