A fresh reminder to check the health of your trees.

The first confirmed infestation of the dreaded Emerald Ash Borer in Oregon was discovered in Forest Grove this summer.

Here's why it's a big deal:

• It can kill all ash species in North America.
• That includes the native Oregon ash. 
• The Oregon ash is about 70% of the Willamette Valley forests alongside rivers and streams.

That's from this helpful article by Tualatin's Clean Water Services. 

And here's a link on how to identify ash trees and an infestation. 

How is this related to insurance? Well, besides the fact that I like trees, it is a good reminder to check the health of the large trees on your property, especially ones that are within falling range of your home. I suspect more ash trees will be coming down over the coming decades. 

Over the past two decade, ash trees have been disappearing from urban areas and the forests of the midwest.