Understanding the resilience of Kentucky ash trees at reforested sites

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 19, 2025) — For over 20 years, Reforest the Bluegrass has been Lexington’s premier community tree planting festival, resulting in the planting of more than 215,000 tree seedlings. It has started to increase canopy coverage in the city of Lexington. While about 65% of the trees planted survive their first year, what do these sites look like after a longer span – say, 20 years? And how do invasive pests affect the long-term health of these new forests?

As one of the UK’s 2025 Summer Sustainability Research Fellows, my research explores the extent of emerald ash borer infestation in ash trees at reforested park sites around Lexington and the resulting impacts on forest health.