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City of Rehoboth Beach Provides Update on Grove Park Trees and Temporary Closure

August 19, 2026

On Monday, August 17, City Arborist Mike Lilly and Delaware Department of Agriculture Urban & Community Forestry Program Coordinator and Certified Arborist Taryn Davidson met at Grove Park to conduct a Level 2 canopy assessment with SavATree. SavATree unfortunately did not send a representative, so Lilly and Davidson conducted another walkthrough and inspected 48 trees.

Findings

  • Five trees, all Red Oaks, should be removed as soon as possible. They show very poor canopy growth. Three are located near the restrooms, and two are near the storage shed.
  • The Oaks exhibit signs of Bacterial Leaf Scorch (BLS), a disease spread by insects that feed on the trees. There is no cure for BLS, and once infected, a tree typically has about 3 to 8 years remaining. It is unknown when these trees became infected, but it is clear they have declined greatly since tree work was completed earlier this year.
  • Fourteen additional trees that were flagged for removal during last week’s assessment are smaller and do not require immediate removal. Their removal would make space for more successful, larger trees. At this time, this remains only a recommendation.

Next Steps

  • The City will have the five affected trees removed as soon as possible and is currently seeking a service that can begin work as early as this week. The public will be notified once plans are confirmed.
  • Insecticides will be used to help prevent the spread of BLS-carrying insects. Without intervention, these insects could potentially affect all Oaks, Maples, and Sycamores throughout the City.

What Happens After Removal

  • Once the five trees are removed and insecticide treatments are completed, Grove Park can safely reopen to foot traffic.
  • Additional pruning will be scheduled for the fall.
  • TRAQ testing and use of the Resistograph will also be planned to better assess overall tree health and damage.

What About the Farmers’ Market?

  • Some of the mature trees in the park have old wounds from past compaction when trailers were previously located there decades ago. Several trees have cables and wires from former electric lines. These issues are not solely the result of Farmers’ Market operations.
  • The City recommends the Farmers’ Market retain its temporary location at the Convention Center parking lot until further notice while assessments are conducted.

Why Wasn’t This Identified Sooner?

  • Bacterial Leaf Scorch can progress quickly. These trees may have contracted the disease up to three years ago, but symptoms often do not appear until late August or early September. The presence of halos on the leaves is a notable indicator.
  • During an assessment two years ago, the trees appeared healthy with full canopies. Aeration was recommended as a precaution, completed this past spring, but this process does not prevent or cure BLS.

Tree Replacement

  • Yes, the City intends to replace any trees that must be taken down. Staff will work with the Department of Agriculture’s tree replacement program to identify the best options.

Looking Ahead

  • The City will continue to provide updates regarding tree removal and the timeline for safely reopening Grove Park.
  • The City recommends that Farmers’ Market remain at the Convention Center until further notice, to allow time for further discussions.

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