The South Portland department of Parks, Recreation and Waterfront will examine all ash trees on public property for damage from the emerald ash borer insect.

The trees will be inspected and catalogued by their size, location, condition and whether they’ve been damaged by the insect, before impacted trees will be treated or removed.

Trees determined to be salvageable will be treated with an injectable insecticide every two years.

The city will replace any tree that is removed with native species that are likely to thrive in the city’s climate.

The first phase of the project will be funded by $30,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The emerald ash species first appeared in the US in Michigan in 2002 and in Maine in 2018.

Signs of ash borer presence in an ash tree include woodpecker “blonding” (or flecking the outer bark), splitting of the bark, sprouts growing from the roots or trunk, an unhealthy or dead crown, and small holes shaped like a “D” in the tree.

If a community member suspects the presence of EAB in a City ash tree, they should contact City Arborist Andy Gagnon at agagnon@southportland.org or (207) 767-7670.