Ash and other problem trees on the city's chopping block this winter
(Talk of the Town photos by Terry Wherry) Above and below, Columbia City Electric Department employees have been working on removing hazardous trees around Columbia City. This is an annual project of the Columbia City Tree Board to address dying or dead trees around the city. Tree removal will continue for several weeks when the city begins removing approximately 50 blighted ash trees.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano 
Columbia City Electric Department employees have been busy removing trees of concern around the city for the past several days.
According to Columbia City Tree Board president Eddie Beagles, it is part of an annual thinning process in the city.
"Right now we are doing the yearly tree removals for trees that are dead or could pose some hazard to property or persons," Beagles said.
Beagles added that the trees being removed by the city now can be replaced, if the homeowner chooses, in the spring. Residents will simply need to contact the city about replacement of their tree that was removed by the city.
Soon, however, focus will turn from hazard trees to ash trees -- many of which are blighted or are expected to be damaged by the Emerald Ash Borror.
"In the next few weeks we will begin to remove about 50 ash trees," Beagles said, adding that additional information about the removal of so many ash trees around the community will be provided to residents very soon.
The Tree Board will meet for their next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. in the first floor conference room in City Hall. Interested community members are invited to attend.
Topics of discussion will include an update on the ash tree removal process, tree board ordinance update, downtown tree replacement plans for the Reiff Building, tree planting on sidewalks and curb areas, the 2011 tree pruning plan and stump grinding.
Additionally, the board will discuss participation in the upcoming Whitley County Chamber of Commerce Exposed event and the IUFC Conference in Fort Wayne.
Tree Board members include Nicholas Steill, Nadean Lamle, Brent Bockelman, Ken Lundquist, Gloria Banker, Candice Yeakle and Eddie Beagles.