In an effort to prepare Nebraska communities for several pests and diseases that could threaten the state’s trees, the Nebraska Forest Service is starting with an inventory and assessment of trees in central Nebraska.

The forest service and the city of North Platte began conducting an inventory of the city’s trees recently through the Community Threat Assessment Protocol, a program funded through a grant from the U.S. Forest Service.

The survey results could be back next spring, as the state prepares communities for the possible onset of diseases in ash, pine and walnut trees, project coordinator Adam Smith told the North Platte Telegraph.

Smith said the goal is to help communities develop long-term plans to fight the three biggest threats: emerald ash borer, pine wilt and thousand cankers disease.

The emerald ash borer, a beetle that can destroy an entire population of ash trees, was confirmed in Kansas City last month, and experts fear it could be inching its way toward Nebraska. It was first recognized in Michigan. Ash trees are common in Nebraska, accounting for 25% to 35% of the state’s trees.

From The Independent: https://www.theindependent.com/news/state/neb-forest-service-conducting-tree-assessment/article_52ad5d9e-41db-5ba8-ba7b-06eb7dd0cf26.html