Fair Board works to remove dead trees

Van Wert County Fair information

Less than two weeks until the 2014 Van Wert County Fair and still lots to be done.

Area residents may have noticed the progress on the new rabbit barn and that the old rabbit barn has come down, but did anyone notice the trees?

The Van Wert County Agricultural Society (Fair Board) had Regional Urban Forester Stephanie Miller from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources visit the fairgrounds and recommend a plan.  This year alone, 45-50 trees needed to be removed from the fairgrounds, with all but three of them being dead ash trees — one had a split trunk and the final two were 80 percent rotten.

Removing the dead and dangerous trees has been a priority for the Fair Board once the weather turned nice and with so many to remove it’s been quite the task.

Miller looked at every tree on the fairground and made a recommendation. Over the next three or four years, all but about seven of the old trees will be replaced at the fairgrounds with a five- to eight-year replanting plan of trees in specific locations, with specific varieties that will best suit their new home at the Fairgrounds.

Those interested in being a part of the replanting effort at the fair, though types and varieties of trees are specific, can contact the Fair Office at 419.238.9270 or go online at vwfair@bright.net to donate.