Endicott Officials Want Dead Trees Removed at Huron Campus

A destructive beetle has killed dozens of trees across the sprawling Huron Campus in Endicott and village officials want the trees taken down.

Mayor Linda Jackson has expressed frustration that efforts to have the dead trees removed have been unsuccessful.

Jackson said the village has made numerous requests for action on the tree issue to Huron representatives. She said "they need to get those trees down."

The mayor suggested Endicott may resort to legal action if the trees aren't removed soon.

Brian Botsford, who oversees village code enforcement, said although some branches may have fallen from some of the deceased trees on the Huron property, they appeared to be structurally stable. He said the matter hasn't gone to an "official enforcement" action yet.

Huron Real Estate Associates president Chris Pelto said a quote had been sought from a contractor to remove the trees but that outfit was not able to do the work. He said Huron will go to another contractor to arrange to have the trees taken down.

Pelto indicated he was not sure when all of the trees might be removed but said he expected many of them could be taken down by winter.

The emerald ash borer has decimated many trees in the Southern Tier and in several states as it continues its rapid spread.