O’Fallon has begun taking measures to proactively replace ash trees on city property. The decision was made to apply the city’s resources toward replacement of ash trees with other species and forego attempts to treat existing ash trees. Long term success with treatments to control EAB remains a gamble. Proactive tree planting in 2015 through 2019 will soften the transition of the expected ash tree loss.  Planting replacement trees began in January of 2015 with the intention of having a net gain in the total number of trees after the last ash tree is removed in 2021 The City of O’Fallon encourages every resident to plant trees in advance of the EAB devastation, even if the residents are not going to lose an ash tree.  Trees are good for our community and every effort should be made to add trees and buffer the impact of the EAB.