Efficient and Safe Removal & Debris Disposal of Ash Trees Killed by Emerald Ash Borer

Over the past several years the full affects of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) have been felt across the entire state. Rather than only a few trees dying along a roadway per year, the infestation of EAB has caused many Ash trees to die in only a couple of years. This greatly increases the amount of work that must be done in a short time. The EAB feeds on the soft tissues just beneath the bark of the Ash. The feeding cuts off the circulatory system of the tree causing the tree to die. As a result, the tree dies very quickly and becomes brittle. Due to the structure of the dead Ash tree, it is difficult to determine how the tree will fall when cut. Another danger is falling dead limbs. Because the trees are very brittle, limbs will break and separate from the tree rather than bend when the tree is being removed resulting in falling hazards. Unlike a living tree, when a dead Ash tree is cut and hits the ground it shatters and debris from the tree flies in all directions. The flying debris cannot only cause damage to equipment, but also injuries to workers. Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has thousands of dead Ash trees along its rights-of-way that must be removed. The goal of this research is to develop a solution for efficient and safe dead Ash tree removal and handling of generated debris. The results of this research will increase safety for the motoring public by allowing ODOT to more quickly remove the hazards from the roadway. It should also increase the safety and an efficiency for the tree removal crew. Increasing efficiency may also save the department money.

• Record URL:
  http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/Research/reportsandplans/Lists/Final%20Reports%20All/AllItems.aspx?View={7D4D0273-6FC5-48A5-AD17-9CC3A7E83DA0}&FilterField1=State%5fx0020%5fJob%5fx0020%5f%5fx0023%5f&FilterValue1=136132

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $191283
• Contract Numbers:

  34885

  111456

  136132

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Ohio Department of Transportation

  Research Program
  1980 West Broad Street
  Columbus, OH  United States  43223
• Project Managers:

  Martindale, Jill

• Performing Organizations:

  Davey Resource Group

  1500 N Mantua Street
  Kent, OH  United States  44240
• Principal Investigators:

  Daniels, Cheryl

• Start Date: 20201103
• Expected Completion Date: 20221103
• Actual Completion Date: 20221103

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Debris removal; Highway maintenance; Highway safety; Plant diseases; Right of way (Land); Road crews; Roadside hazards; State departments of transportation; Trees
• Geographic Terms: Ohio
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01757112
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Ohio Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 34885, 111456, 136132
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Nov 2 2020 3:18PM