If you live near Sloan Lake, you have likely heard about the emerald ash borer and wondered what it means for your block. Your street trees add shade, curb appeal, and comfort, so any talk of removals can feel stressful. This guide breaks down Denver’s “Be a Smart Ash” program, what 2025–2026 scheduling usually means for Sloan Lake, and the practical steps you can take to protect your trees and your property. Let’s dive in.
Emerald ash borer, in plain terms
Emerald ash borer is an invasive beetle that targets ash trees. Its larvae feed under the bark, cutting off water and nutrients. Without protection, most untreated ash trees die within 2 to 10 years of heavy infestation. That is why Denver’s urban forestry team uses a mix of treatment, removal, and replacement to keep streets safe and preserve canopy.
What “Be a Smart Ash” does
Denver Parks and Recreation, Urban Forestry leads the citywide “Be a Smart Ash” program. The program focuses on identifying ash trees, prioritizing blocks for coordinated work, and guiding owners of private trees. For boulevard trees in the right of way, the city organizes removal and replacement. For private trees on your lot, the city offers guidance while owners handle treatment or removal decisions.
How 2025–2026 scheduling works
When a Sloan Lake block is scheduled for a given year, the city plans to complete work in that window. Crews group removals and replacements by block to limit repeated street closures and to coordinate plantings. The exact block lists and dates can shift with budgets and weather, so you should confirm timing when you receive official notices.
What to expect on a scheduled block
You can expect mailed notices or door hangers before work begins. Notices outline the date range, scope, parking rules, and any access needs. The typical sequence is notification, removal of designated boulevard ash trees, stump grinding and soil prep, then planting of replacement trees in a later planting season, often fall or early spring.
What the city asks of residents
If you have a boulevard ash tree, you may be asked to sign and return consent forms and to move vehicles or temporary planters. City crews manage removal, stump grinding, and cleanup for boulevard trees. If you have a private ash tree, you will follow a separate process with your chosen contractor.
How to confirm your block and respond
Use the official “Be a Smart Ash” page and the city’s scheduling map to see whether your Sloan Lake block is listed for 2025 or 2026. If you receive a notice, follow the instructions and submit any required consent by the stated deadline. If you have questions about your address or a tree that appears hazardous, contact the city’s Urban Forestry team through 311 or the program page.
Here is a simple checklist:
- Look up your address on the city’s schedule/map for the 2025–2026 cycle.
- Watch for mailed notices or door hangers, then note any deadlines.
- Sign and return consent forms for boulevard-tree work.
- Clear nearby parking and on-site obstructions before the work window.
- Mark your calendar for the planting season that follows removal.
City trees vs. private trees
- Boulevard trees: These are the trees in the public right of way between the sidewalk and the street. The city typically manages and covers removal and replacement for these trees as part of the program.
- Private-property trees: Trees inside your lot line are your responsibility. The city may provide guidance and resources, but owners arrange and pay for treatment or removal unless a specific cost-share or emergency rule applies.
If you plan to treat a private ash
Systemic trunk injections, often with emamectin benzoate, are the most reliable option to protect high-value ash trees. Treatments are generally done by licensed professionals and need to be repeated at intervals, commonly every 1 to 3 years depending on the product and pressure from pests. Treatment works best when the tree is still healthy and before canopy decline advances. Once decline is significant, removal is usually the safer choice.
Choosing an arborist
Hire an ISA-certified arborist or a licensed tree firm with experience in emerald ash borer management. Ask for proof of insurance, a written scope, and a treatment schedule or removal plan. For boulevard trees, defer to the city’s process, which is handled under city permits and contracts.
What removal and planting look like on your street
You may see temporary parking restrictions and sidewalk closures when crews work. Expect a clean removal, stump grinding, and site prep for new trees. Replacement planting often occurs in fall or early spring, which helps young trees establish roots. The city chooses replacement species from a diverse, non-ash list to build a more resilient urban canopy for Sloan Lake.
Replacement trees and species selection
The city’s approach favors diversity and drought-tolerant species suited to Denver’s climate. This reduces the risk that a single pest or disease could remove a large share of canopy again. In some cases, you may be asked for input on planting locations or species from approved lists, but final choices follow the city’s standards, utility clearance, and site conditions.
Safety, liability, and permitting
Dying ash branches can fail without warning. The city prioritizes hazardous boulevard trees to protect pedestrians and property. For private trees, owners are responsible for managing hazards and pulling any required permits for large removals. When in doubt, ask your arborist or contact Urban Forestry for guidance.
Timing your home plans around tree work
If you are planning to sell or buy in Sloan Lake, tree work can affect curb appeal, showing logistics, and timing for photos. A clear plan helps you avoid surprises.
- Sellers: Coordinate listing photos after stump grinding or after replacement planting if possible. If your boulevard tree is scheduled, note that in your property disclosures and show buyers the city’s plan for replacement. For interior and exterior prep, The Aspen Collection can coordinate staging and improvements so your home still presents at its best.
- Buyers: Ask your agent to check whether the block is scheduled and whether any private ash trees will require treatment or removal. This helps you budget and plan post-closing maintenance.
Action steps you can take now
- Identify your trees. If you are unsure whether a tree is an ash, use city identification guides or reach out through 311 for help.
- Check the schedule. Confirm whether your Sloan Lake block appears on the 2025–2026 plan and watch your mail for official notices.
- Decide on private-tree care. If you own a private ash worth saving, consult a certified arborist about treatment timing and costs. If removal is the safer option, request bids and confirm permit needs.
- Prepare your site. Move vehicles, planters, and temporary structures before the work window to keep crews efficient and minimize disruption.
A little planning now can protect your canopy, reduce hazards, and keep your street looking great through the transition.
Ready to align your home plans with upcoming tree work, or curious how canopy changes affect value on your block? Get a neighborhood perspective and a tailored strategy with The Aspen Collection. Get your free home valuation.
FAQs
How do I tell if my tree is an ash in Sloan Lake?
- Look for opposite branching and compound leaves with multiple leaflets. If you are unsure, use the city’s ID resources or contact 311 for guidance.
Will the city remove ash trees on my private property near Sloan Lake?
- Generally no. The program focuses on boulevard trees in the public right of way. Private trees are the owner’s responsibility unless a specific cost-share or emergency rule applies.
Can treatment save my private ash tree from emerald ash borer?
- Often yes, if the tree is still healthy and treatment begins early. Systemic trunk injections by licensed professionals are the most reliable method and usually require repeat treatments every 1 to 3 years.
Do I have to pay for a replacement tree after a boulevard removal?
- For city-managed boulevard removals, the city typically handles planting. For private-property removals, owners usually pay for replacement unless a subsidy exists.
What if my Sloan Lake block is not scheduled for 2025–2026 but my ash looks unsafe?
- Report concerns through 311 or contact Urban Forestry. Hazardous trees may be evaluated outside of the block schedule.
When will replacement trees be planted after removals on my street?
- Plantings often occur in fall or early spring when conditions support root establishment. The exact timing depends on scheduling, weather, and crew availability.
What kinds of trees will replace removed ash along Sloan Lake streets?
- The city plants a diverse mix of non-ash species that fit Denver’s climate and site constraints to improve long-term canopy resilience.
