Oak Creek Makes Ordinance Change To Keep Up With Dying Ash Trees

As thousands of ash trees die as , the Oak Creek Common Council has changed an ordinance to more efficiently deal with dead and diseased trees on private property.

Under the new ordinance, the city forester has the authority to order a property owner remove dead or diseased trees, or else the city will do it at the owner's expense. 

Sick trees were previously treated the same as any other public nuisance, such as fireworks, dilapidated buildings and unremoved snow. By separating failing ash trees from the rest of the ordinance, the city forester can more effectively deal with the problem, officials say.

Nearly all property owners with dead ash trees have cooperated with the city, according to a council report.

The Oak Creek Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department has removed almost 1,000 trees since the beetle was discovered in November 2009. Read more about the city's efforts .