Department of Natural Resources officials have found evidence of ash tree damage caused by the emerald ash borer at Bay City State Recreation Area. Emerald ash borer is an invasive species. Once a tree has been damaged by the insect, the tree must be removed to prevent the risk of the tree falling or spreading the damage to surrounding trees. Unfortunately, other state parks have had hundreds of ash trees that have been removed due to the disease.
This season, because of the damage to ash trees, visitors may notice far less shade in the day-use area of the park. Ash trees comprise about 75 percent of the trees within the mowed picnic areas, and there are approximately 540 ash trees that are either dead or dying in those areas. The trees that were considered hazardous have already been removed, but many still may need to be removed if further damage occurs.
“Many of these trees looked perfectly healthy a year ago,” said George Lauinger, park manager at Bay City State Recreation Area. “Damage from this species can occur with little warning, so now we need to find a way to efficiently remove these trees quickly and without inconveniencing our visitors, and then find a way to replace them.”
With those goals in mind, park officials are working with the DNR’s Forest Resources Division to conduct a timber sale in the fall. The park is also partnering with Bay County to treat 11 healthier ash trees in an attempt to save them.
“While it’s always difficult to see so many trees being removed from an area, this is a matter of public safety,” said Jason Hartman, a unit manager with the DNR Forest Resources Division. “Hazardous trees are very dangerous in areas with a lot of visitors. We’re glad we could collaborate with Parks to put this wood up for sale and get something of value from an unfortunate situation.”
Replacing these ash trees with a diverse set of native trees is also a top priority for the park. In addition to requesting participation in the DNR’s various tree-planting programs, park officials also will work with the Friends of Bay City State Recreation Area to see if there is any interest in a donor program to cover the cost of some saplings.
Learn more about the emerald ash borer at the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development website, www.michigan.gov/eab.
For more information about Bay City State Recreation Area’s efforts to remove and restore shade trees from effects of the emerald ash borer, please call the park at 989-684-3020.
Bay City State Recreation Area is a popular Michigan state park for citizens in the Saginaw Bay area, who view the site as a provider of year-round recreation opportunities for the community. The park is also a major destination for out-of-town visitors during the summer.
The Recreation Passport is an easy, affordable way for residents to enjoy and support outdoor recreation opportunities in Michigan. By checking “YES” for the $11 Recreation Passport ($5 for motorcycles) when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State (by mail, kiosk, online at www.expresssos.com or at branch offices), Michigan motorists get access to state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, nonmotorized state trailhead parking and state boat launches. The Recreation Passport is valid until the next license plate renewal date. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($31 annual; $9 daily) at any state park or recreation area or (annual passes only) through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore.
Learn more about this creative way of sustaining Michigan’s outdoor recreation and natural resources at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.
