Shelburne Community School PTO

Help save 28 ash trees on Shelburne Community School’s grounds for 6 years!

The students at SCS could use your help. Shelburne Community School has 30 ash trees on its grounds, 28 of which are healthy and beloved by the children. Ash trees are the most prevalent tree at SCS, including lining its main entrance. We’re hoping to raise money for treatment to protect them from emerald ash borer (EAB). Without treatment, all of these beautiful ash trees will eventually die and be removed. It’s a devastating outcome that can be prevented with your help!

We are aiming to raise $10,000 to pay for treating the 28 ash trees for the next 6 years. The SCS PTO is receiving donated funds on behalf of Shelburne Community School. All funds will be transferred to SCS. A long-term plan will be developed for continued treatment of trees and possible removal and replacement of select ash trees. Check out our GoFundMe page here to donate and help spread the word. The best time to treat the trees is in June, so we need to act fast or we risk losing trees.

“Without the trees, our school wouldn’t look so pretty and where would we have shade?” - SCS 1st grader

What is emerald ash borer (EAB)?

EAB is a non-native invasive beetle and is now considered the most destructive pest ever seen in North America. It has now killed over a hundred million ash trees since it was first discovered in 2002 in MI. Sadly, EAB reached VT in 2018 and VT will lose over 99% of its native green, white, and black ash trees.

Why now?

SCS is now within a 10-mile radius of a known EAB infestation. EAB is likely present in our area even if symptoms are not obvious. We need to treat any ash trees we want to save this spring. All of our untreated ash trees will be dead or dying in three to five years.

Why should we save the SCS ash trees?

• Trees have been shown to benefit mental and physical well-being

• Larger trees provide valuable shade and reduce air temperature through evapotranspiration

• Large trees sequester the most carbon and remove the most pollutants from the air

• Large trees remove pollutants from the soil

• Large trees reduce storm runoff and decrease water pollution, which is also important near McCabe Brook and a class 1 wetland

What do we do?

The current scientific recommendation is to treat all high value ash trees through trunk-injected systemic insecticide. SCS’s ash trees will need to be treated every three years to be protected from EAB. Teachers Tree Service will treat the trees with emamectin benzoate by trunk injection, which is the most recommended and environmentally sound treatment.

The number of trees we can treat and save will be dependent on the amount of funds raised. Cost is based on the size of the trunk. Any money raised beyond what is needed will be used for continued treatment of the 28 trees beyond our six year goal of two treatments per tree. The funds raised will be received by the SCS PTO on behalf of SCS. All of the money from the fundraiser will be transferred to SCS.

Need another incentive to donate?

Do you have ash trees on your own property that you would like to save? Greg of Teachers Tree Service has generously extended the rate ($10 per diameter inch) he is giving SCS to anyone who donates any amount to our fundraiser! Just mention it when you call!

Interested in learning more?

Ash Tree Identification Guide

VT Invasives EAB site

EAB Website

EAB Management Resource

Please consider donating! The more money we raise, the more trees we can treat and save! The children and trees thank you!