Ball State to remove dozens of ash trees this year

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) - - Ball State University plans to remove dozens of ash trees on the Muncie campus this year as part of a plan to combat an invasive, tree-killing beetle.

The Star Press reports (http://tspne.ws/WwzEGr ) school officials intend to remove between 50 and 100 ash trees on campus this summer threatened by the emerald ash borer.

Ball State officials hope to eventually save up to 250 of the campus' 625 ash trees, or about 40 percent of school's total. School associate director for landscape Michael Planton says those trees will be treated with chemicals intended to protect them from the pest. They span a wide range of sizes and campus locations.

The ash borer is a small, metallic-green beetle that's native to Asia. It's decimated ash trees in several states since 2002.

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Information from: The Star Press, http://www.thestarpress.com