STOPPING DEADLY TREE INFESTATION, P.2

Inspectors try to notify buildings in advance, though that's not always possible. But you can set up an appointment for an inspection at your co-op or condo. At Georgetown Mews, D'Amico says, the inspectors had IDs showing they were federal employees. He had them sign in and out.

The inspectors will visually inspect all trees on your property, including those in gardens and on balconies, explains Gittleman. If inspectors find an infested tree, they remove and destroy it, at no cost. They then put you on the list for a free replacement tree, which will not be hardwood. If you refuse repeated requests for inspector access, the program will forward the building's information to the its legal counsel in Albany, and eventually a court will issue a warrant ordering you to give access.

So, as one former Beatle put it, "Let 'em in" — and, hopefully, they'll get the Asian Longhorned Beetles out.

Adapted from Habitat July-August 2006. For the complete article and more, join our Archive >>