With the emerald ash borer having recently been discovered in Upper Arlington, replacing trees may soon become a popular pastime.

EAB, an insect that was identified in Ohio in 2003, kills ash trees within three to five years of infestation, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. In July, Upper Arlington's parks and recreation department reported that a Kenny Road homeowner discovered the tree-killing beetle on at least two trees.

In anticipation of the spread of EAB, the city has embarked on an aggressive plan to remove ash trees in public rights of way and replace them with less vulnerable species. The city also recommends that homeowners consult certified arborists to treat and/or replace EAB-stricken ash trees.

Scott Zanon, the newest member of the Upper Arlington Tree Commission, has firsthand experience replacing trees.

"We're coming into the fall planting season," Zanon said. "Fall is one of the best times, along with spring, to think about purchasing a tree and putting it in the ground."

Zanon previously served as chair of the Ohio State University Golf Club's Green Committee. In 2004, OSU's then-athletics director Andy Geiger asked Zanon to head up the committee that oversaw the restoration of the Scarlet Course, 3605 Tremont Road.

"When we restored the Scarlet, we actually took down quite a few trees, as a lot of golf courses around the country have been doing," said Zanon, who holds bachelor's degrees in agronomy and landscape horticulture.

Zanon offers tips on the best trees to plant for the region's climate in his recently-released book, "Desirable Trees for the Midwest: 50 for the Home Landscape and Larger Properties."

In the past, Zanon noted, people often planted trees on private property -- golf courses, in particular -- without regard to how the particular type of tree would affect the land when it grew to its full height.

The committee overseeing the Scarlet Course's restoration encountered this problem, finding certain trees affected visibility and air circulation.

"A lot of people are taking down older trees for those issues," Zanon said.

When some of the older trees were removed from the Scarlet Course, conditions dramatically improved. But the committee had difficulty finding recommendations for how to replace the old trees, which led Zanon to write "Desirable Trees for the Midwest."

"I started thinking, what if someone asked what, if any, trees should you put back in?" Zanon said. "There was no reference book."

"Desirable Trees" features detailed descriptions and color photographs of a wide variety of trees that flourish in the Midwest's varied climate.

The book covers "trees that have great fall color, trees that do well in dry areas, trees that do well in wet areas," Zanon said. "There's all sorts of guides in there that will help you select desirable trees."

Zanon will discuss and sign copies of the book during an appearance at the Panera Bread Five Points, 3278 Tremont Road, from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4. For more information, visit www.desirabletrees.com.

Scott Zanon