City Of Bancroft, KY

Bancroft Lane is the gateway to our community! Unfortunately, like so many, our eight Ash trees have been affected by the emerald ash borer.

Arborists on several occasions have told us the damage is irreparable. After initial infestation, ash trees are expected to die within 10 years without control measures. While our ash trees have been treated, they have been severely damaged and all will be lost. It is only a matter of time.

The cost of treatment is expensive and if done improperly, ineffective.

At its March 2018 meeting, the Bancroft City Commission approved the addition of flowering cherry trees and at least five trees that will become the future canopy (20 trees planted). The Ash trees are mostly clustered around the subdivision side of Bancroft Lane. In addition, city commissioners approved a maintenance plan for the remaining 59 trees.

The city is working with an arborist to develop a long-range plan to not only replace the ash trees but to enhance the natural beauty of Bancroft Lane. The plan is NOT to just replace the ash trees or to limp along and allow the trees to become a hazard. The city commission is hoping to increase the variety trees and build on the beauty of remaining 58 trees that call Bancroft Lane home.

Adding some flowering trees will give us a nice splash of color in the Spring. Replacing the ash trees with those that will become the future canopy is a priority. The plan is to add 10-20 trees in the first round of planting and 10 more trees in subsequent phases until we have proper spacing, variety, and coverage. Then we will stop and go into maintenance mode.