Wood Use Options

Ash Tree Utilization Options and Markets

• Emerald Ash Borer Planning Simulator (EAB-PLANS®) - Beta Version
  This program was developed to assist decision-makers in managing ash trees in urban and community forests challenged by EAB.
• EAB Cost Calculator - Beta Version
  This version is driven by an EAB invasion wave model that lets you modify your treatment strategy after the initial wave of EAB has passed. It can produce estimates of forests that contain up to 4,000 ash trees.
• Decision guide -- Should You Keep Your Ash Trees? (PDF, 769KB)
• Wood Utilization Options for Urban Trees Infested by Invasive Species (PDF, 2MB)
  University of Minnesota Duluth, Natural Resources Research Institute (Brian K. Brashaw) and USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (Robert J. Ross, Xiping Wang and Michael C. Wiemann)
  This publication is a reference for land managers, arborists, utilization specialists, and other natural resources professionals. It provides comprehensive information on wood technology, markets, and technical information for hardwoods affected by invasive species. This manual provides a one-stop shop for understanding how the emerald ash borer, Asian long horned beetle, gypsy moth, and thousand cankers disease are affecting hardwoods and offers valuable insight into the wide variety of products and markets that are available, and practical advice for considering the many options.
• Ash Utilization Options Project
  Southeast Michigan Resource Conservation & Development Council
  One of the major efforts to address ash utilization through demonstration projects, training sessions, and research has been conducted through the Southeast Michigan Research Conser-vation and Development (RC&D) Ash Utilization Options Project. Funded in part through the WERC, this program has helped Michigan communities and businesses develop products and utilization options for urban trees removed due to EAB.
• Illinois Emerald Ash Borer Wood Utilization Team
  The Illinois Emerald Ash Borer Wood Utilization Team was formed in 2007 to concentrate on encouraging the harvesting and use of wood from urban and community trees felled in Illinois as a result of EAB. The Team has fo¬cused on developing an understanding of EAB infestation and opportunities for wood utilization across the entire spectrum of the wood use chain.
• My Ash Tree is Dead...Now What Do I Do? (PDF, 4MB)
  Michigan State University Extension
  March 2007 - E-2940
  This publication for homeowners focuses on what options are available for the dead and dying trees in their yards. Wood use options are suggested, allowing homeowners several ways they can recover some of the value in the resource.
• Cost-Effective Tree Removal and Utilization Strategies to Address Invasive Species Attacks
  USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area, Southeast Michigan Resource Conservation & Development Council, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  This document provides a road map for communities looking for cost-effective and creative ways to utilize products from tree removals. Communities can often lessen the economic impact of the pest's damage, provide local wood resources for needed projects, stimulate community interest in recycling and reuse, and strengthen local wood products industries.
• Community Urban Wood Utilization Planning Worksheet
  Southeast Michigan Resource, Conservation and Development Council
  This worksheet is intended to help communities address some of the issues that must be considered in the development of a wood utilization plan.
• Urban Forest Products Alliance group on LinkedIn
  This LinkedIn group has over 550 members focused on sustainable recovery and highest and best use of products from urban forests.