"A lot of trees:" More than 2,600 to be cut down in Kenosha Co. due to emerald ash borer

KENOSHA COUNTY -- Kenosha County officials plan to cut down more than 2,600 ash trees because of damage from the emerald ash borer.

The trees are located in four county parks and golf courses.

Jonathan Rudie, the county's general manager of park operations, acknowledges that's "a lot of trees." But Rudie tells the Kenosha News treating the trees with pesticides "is a cycle you'll never get off of."

Rudie says the southeastern Wisconsin county has secured a contract with an Oshkosh-based logging company to do the job for about $17 to $29 per tree. That's much less expensive than upward of $500 per tree a tree-removal firm might charge.

The county effort is expected to start this winter. The trees will then be replaced with 18 varieties of species native to the region.