Gardnerville Ranchos residents who believe a herbicide sprayed to control weeds is harming their foliage can file a claim with the general improvement district's insurer.
Several residents described the damage to trees and bushes planted along the district's open spaces at the Gardnerville Ranchos General Improvement District meeting on Wednesday night.
While not admitting any culpability in the matter, district board members also instructed their staff to come up with a weed killer other than Krovar, which is being blamed in the tree deaths.
Lassen Way resident Glenn Marr told the board that he had problems with his tree starting a year ago.
"There were signs of distress," he said. "I thought it might be blight, but then I started checking around."
Marr drew a diagram of his neighborhood, showing where the trees along the trail were distressed.
"The trees on all four corners are affected," he said. "I can't say for sure, but the circumstantial evidence leads that way."
Duplex owner Carol Brundige read the board the warnings for Krovar, which included not spraying it in residential or recreational areas.
Evelyn Heath who lives on Purple Sage said she believes her lawn and vegetable garden, which backs up to her rear fence, were affected.
Board attorney Steve Handelen said the issue has been turned over to the district's insurer, PoolPac. He gave residents contact information.
Property owner Bruce Brundige offered some alternatives to the Krovar.
"We all make mistakes," he said. "That's the way it goes."
District Manager Bob Spellberg said they would not be using Krovar in the future, and that the district has used several methods of weed control, including pulling them when necessary.
The discussion over the trees was brought to light when Shasta Drive resident Karen Rossen, concerned over the yellowing of her pin oaks, learned that the herbicide was being sprayed behind her fence.
After reading about Rossen in The Record-Courier, other residents came forward with similar complaints.
