Eversource crews removing dead ash trees near roads, power lines ahead of winter

LONDONDERRY, N.H. —

Eversource wants to protect more of its at-risk power lines, removing trees along busy roads that could cause problems when winter weather arrives.

Ash trees are native to New Hampshire, but the invasive species that's killing them isn't. They're known as the emerald ash borer, which first appeared in Concord around 2013. Since then, Eversource has had to monitor their impact on wooded areas across the state.

>> Information: Emerald Ash Borer facts

The beetle burrows inside the trees, killing them from within and creating instability. On busy local roads, that condition introduces a higher risk for trees to fall and block traffic. That can include disrupting travel lanes for everything from emergency vehicles to rush hour commuters.

Now, Eversource is tracking do