Crews Removing Diseased Trees at Otsiningo Park

Some of the people who've visited Broome County's Otsiningo Park in recent days have expressed concern with the removal of several trees.

County Executive Jason Garnar said trees in the town of Dickinson park have been cut down because of the invasive emerald ash borer. The wood boring beetle feeds on and ultimately kills ash trees.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Garnar said he wasn't sure how many trees had been removed. Based on a recent visit to Otsiningo, he estimated that about a dozen had been cut down. He said he did not know whether more trees will be removed.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, emerald ash borer infestations have been confirmed in more than 40 counties.

The first emerald ash borer infestation in New York was discovered in Cattaraugus County in 2009.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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