Emerald Ash Borer Ash Tree Removal and Replacement

2. Common Questions
 Why do I need to cut down my tree?
 Ash trees in particular become very brittle
after dying
 Dead limbs are liable to break and fall
causing potential injury to persons or property
DEAD TREES = Potential Hazard!

3. Common Questions
 (How) Do I need to dispose of the wood
after I cut an ash tree down?
 The ash wood quarantine is no longer in
effect locally for Virginia
 National quarantines prevent movement of
ash wood/products to other states such as
Delaware, North Carolina, Maryland
 www.emeraldashborer.info (latest quarantine info)
 In general it is good practice to not move
firewood

4. Common Questions
 Do I need permission from Fairfax
County to remove a dying or dead ash
tree from my property?
 Most instances will not require permission from
Fairfax County
 Special exceptions such as:
 Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Areas
(floodplains and riparian areas)
 Tree Conservation Area and other tree protection
covenants on the original plat/deed

5. Common Questions
 Do I need permission from Fairfax
County to remove a dying or dead ash
tree from my property?
 Hazardous tree exceptions
 If there is a tree which poses an immediate threat to private
property or general public-REMOVE TREE ASAP
○ UFMD can help you determine later if replanting is needed
 If you aren’t sure if your have these covenants,
contact Urban Forest Management Division and we
will help you. Call 703-324-5304, TTY 711.

6. Common Questions
 How do I hire a tree care company or arborist?
 http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/environmental/
how_to_hire_arborist.htm

7. Tree Care Company Quality
Checklist
 Employees are members of professional
organizations
 International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
 Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)
 American Society of Consulting Arborists
(ASCA)

8. What is a Certified Arborist?
 Certified by ISA to follow science-based
guidelines on:
 How to prune a tree, selecting high quality
trees to plant, diagnosing tree disorders
(including EAB), evaluating hazardous trees
 A certified arborist has passed a
rigorous examination by the ISA which
follows industry standards
 Must sign of “code of ethics”

9. Tree Care Company Quality
Checklist
 Company provides proof of insurance
 Personal and property damage/general
liability
 Worker’s compensation
 Availability of client references
 Contracts are written which describe the
scope of the work to be done, costs and
time frame

10. Sample Certificate of Insurance

11. Resident Tree Contract
Checklist Beware of door-to-door solicitors
 Request 3 or more quotes from qualified
companies
 Contact Fairfax County Consumer Affairs
Department
 Contact the Better Business Bureau
 Read contracts carefully
 Does the contract cover everything as promised?
 Provide as much detail as to your needs as possible
(e.g., when you want the work done, how the
property will be accessed)
 Find out how trees and debris will be disposed
 Will the contractor remove the stump and how

12. Tree Replacement
 Replace dead ash trees with other native tree
species
 Good examples are located in Chapter 12 of the
Fairfax County Public Facilities Manual
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/publications/pfm/chapter12.pdf
 Plant a variety of different species
 Diversity is a proactive approach to insects or
diseases that may emerge in the future

13. How to properly plant a tree
http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/uf/tom/090202_tom_hr.pdf

14. Summary
 If you choose to remove a tree, do your
homework
 Get quotes from several tree care companies
before you decide on a treatment
 Get proof of licenses, certifications and
insurance
 Inspect contracts thoroughly
 If you choose to replant, select diverse, native
tree species
 Visit www.goodtreecare.com to find a tree care
company endorsed by the International
Society of Arboriculture (ISA)

15. For more information, please contact:
Fairfax County Urban Forest Management Division:
Forest Pest Management Branch
703-324-5304, TTY 711
PestMail@fairfaxcounty.gov
A Fairfax County, Virginia Publication March 2015