Rental Solution: Emerald ash borer changing the rental landscape
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Emerald ash borer larvae live under the tree |
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The Vermeer SC552 stump cutter can cut 31 |
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Higher capacity machines in demand to remove dying trees
by Gregg Hennigan
Emerald ash borer infestations are slowly changing the look of the North American landscape. The invasive species’ larvae feed and grow under the bark of ash trees and slowly choke off nutrient and water flow. Within three years, an infestation can kill the tree.
This infestation is spreading slowly across the United States and is changing tree care and rental markets.
Contractors are doing more tree and stump removals in affected areas and many times, very mature trees with large stumps require larger equipment.
“That has created more demand for higher-capacity stump cutters as well as brush chippers,” says Matt Hutchinson, product manager for tree care, rental and landscape at Vermeer. “Contractors renting machines are turning to units with 50 or more hp. rather than the 30 or 40 hp. machines more typically found in the rental market. They need a machine that can grind large stumps.”
Although removing large trees requires more power, contractors and municipalities are also looking for stump grinders with smaller footprints because many ash trees are in rights-of-way and back yards where space is tight. Often, access may be only through a fence gate. Customers looking for stump grinders and shredders also want machines that create less noise to minimize disturbing those who live, work and play in neighborhoods, parks and business districts.
While many larger tree care companies and municipalities are buying equipment, rental centers remain a popular choice, particularly for smaller businesses and towns that have less equipment.
“Maybe they’re looking for a rental solution for a season or two,” Hutchinson says. “They may want to use larger equipment, but not for the long term. Or, if they don’t currently do stump grinding, they may look at renting a machine with the capacity to handle the larger stumps of ash trees and then evaluate where the business is at after a couple of years.”
Invasive pest spreading
The emerald ash borer, which is a beetle native to Asia, has already killed tens of millions of ash trees in North America and has been detected in most of the United States and Canadian provinces east of the Rocky Mountains.
Tree care companies and municipalities throughout the continent need to be aware of the pest because it continues to spread to new areas. Experts consider it a risk to all of the 7 billion ash trees in North America.
It’s of particular concern because of the prevalence of ash species. U.S. government officials report that ash is the most commonly planted tree in new residential and commercial developments and it makes up to 40 percent of the landscape ecosystem in some areas of the Midwest.
Rental considerations
Some property owners treat their ash trees before the emerald ash borer is present, but opinions are mixed on the effectiveness in infested areas. Many municipalities have established plans to proactively remove ash trees.
“I was up in Madison, Wisconsin, earlier this year,” Hutchinson says. “They are selectively removing approximately one-third of the ash trees along public streets; thousands of trees a year. They have a crew taking down trees and they have two stump-grinding crews.”
Removing the stump is a best practice, Hutchinson says. Many cities have replanting programs, and while a new tree should not be planted in the same location of an old tree, ash trees are so widespread that replanting is probably going to occur in the same area. Removing stumps is also good for aesthetic reasons.
“They need a machine that’s productive enough to deal with the large 20- to 30-inch stumps,” Hutchinson says. Hutchinson has a few tips for rental customers looking for a stump grinder. As already discussed, one is having the power to grind larger stumps. However, a smaller footprint can be an advantage because much of the work is in rights-of-way and in back yards, where fitting through a standard 36-inch gate can save time and expense.
Noise levels should be another consideration because so much of the work is occurring in heavily populated areas.
“The Vermeer SC552 stump cutter is very productive for its size. It has a high energy density,” Hutchinson says.
The cutter wheel can cut 31 inches above ground and 25 inches below ground. A four-bar linkage system lets the cutter wheel move away from the machine as the boom drops toward the stump, reducing the need to reposition the entire unit.
To help reduce noise levels, Vermeer optimized the cooling system. “When operating the SC552, there will be less noise compared with some competitive equipment,” Hutchinson says.
The unit also has user-friendly controls and is equipped with a system that stops the cutter wheel if the operator’s hand leaves the controls for more than two seconds. It also has four-wheel drive, helping it move across challenging terrain.
Despite everyone’s best efforts, the emerald ash borer continues to spread. Municipalities and tree care contractors need to develop plans for how they will respond, even if their area is not yet affected.
“It’s progressing throughout the continent,” Hutchinson says. “It’s now picking up speed in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri. There’s concern of it reaching ash species on the west side of the Rockies.”
Dutch elm disease wreaked havoc on elm trees in the second half of last century. The emerald ash borer appears to be doing the same thing to ash trees this century.
“I’m not sure we fully understand the impact of it,” Hutchinson says. “But it definitely has had an impact on tree care equipment and has created greater demand for larger stump cutters.”
Gregg Hennigan is a features writer at Two Rivers Marketing.
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