Residents can apply for assistance for ash tree removal

Residents in Wausau can now apply for assistance to have their ash trees removed, thanks to a new grant from the Department of Natural Resources. 

The DNR awarded nearly $500,000 to the city of Wausau to help remove ash trees. Wausau received one of the largest rewards in the state to remove the trees, according to a press release from Marathon County. That includes $100,000 to remove ash trees from private property. It also includes money to eliminate trees from public right of way. 

The city and other municipalities have been working to remove ash trees because of an invasive species called Emerald Ash Borer, which burrows into ash trees and kills them. Though treatments exist to keep the tree alive longer than usual, there’s no way to completely get rid of the ash borers. 

Those interested in applying should look into it at www.marathoncounty.gov/urbanforestry. The grants will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.