Editor’s Note: The author of this blog post, Mike Mascoe, is the public information specialist for Nebraska’s Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (NRD). His dilemma in deciding what was best for his property and beloved ash tree is a decision many homeowners are forced to make.

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It’s coming. A year later it was still coming. Year, after year, after year Nebraskans have been warned of the impending arrival of the emerald ash borer (EAB). At least a decade later, it’s still not here. EAB has been detected in surrounding states, but, at the time of this writing, none have been detected in Nebraska. It’s a drama that’s unfolding more slowly than a soap opera, but none of the experts have backed-off from their dire forecasts of doom for ash trees in Nebraska, a state that doesn’t have a lot of trees, anyway. Our nickname, “The Tree Planters State” is rooted in need.

So much has been written and broadcast about this critter’s westward crawl and my wife and I studied all of it. For 20 years we’ve lived under the benefits of the most majestic green ash tree in our 50-year-old Lincoln neighborhood. The tree is gone now; reduced to nothing but mulch in a single spring day. It was one of the most difficult decisions of our lives, and in the end it turns out our decision was based much more on our own speculation than published fact. Here’s what the experts didn’t or couldn’t tell us to help with an agonizing odyssey:

• What would taking the tree down now do to our property value vs. hugging it until it crumbled in our arms? This beauty, the closest thing we’ve had to a family pet, shaded a split-level house. Our middle-aged knees have us thinking it may soon be time for a ranch, so would it be better to have a splendid tree in the front yard as we try to sell, or would our property value suffer because it’s an ash?

• The tree was going to need another professional trimming this year and we got a great price quote. For about one-third more they’d take the tree down completely and grind the stump. I work for one of Nebraska’s 23 natural resources districts and experts were telling me the price for taking down ash trees would double or more, once the borers get here. Are two or five more years with this tree worth $3,000? The emotional answer is “yes,” but what’s the responsible answer for a working couple living in a 1970s split-level?

• We wondered, too, about what not having the tree on the south side of our home would do to our utility costs. It’s an average summer. We don’t have any figures yet, but it sure seems like that air conditioner runs a lot more.

In all of the information we collected we also didn’t find anything relating to how to handle whatever the neighbors whispered over the back fence about our decision to grind-up a healthy neighborhood icon. Our credibility with them, no doubt, took a hit, but they’re great neighbors and we’ve moved on. I think we’re still invited to their Husker football parties.

Then, there was the front yard flower dilemma we never saw coming. The tree came down just in time to start watching our perennials bloom and start planting landscape annuals. Well, all of our favorites we’d loved for so many years require shade. Suddenly there was none. None. Instead of splitting hostas, we scrambled to create new places to re-locate them in the backyard. We’ve also learned you can’t depend on plant-care instructions that say “full sun.”

After a few months, I cannot say we’re happy, yet, with our decision to proactively take down the tree. I can say we’re money ahead and no longer stressed with collecting information and wondering what to do when EAB does arrive. We made a tough decision, we’re living with it and we’re moving on like the neighbors. I’m reminded, working at the natural resources district, trees are a renewable resource. I still need that reminder often.

Tags: Ash trees, Emerald Ash Borer, Forestry, invasive species, Nebraska, trees