Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Tuesday, March 28
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Donate
    • Subscribe
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»City of Eden Prairie»Big jump in number of ash trees infested by EAB
    City of Eden Prairie

    Big jump in number of ash trees infested by EAB

    By Mark WeberJanuary 28, 2021Updated:January 28, 20212 Mins Read
    Emerald Ash Borer is a small, green beetle that is invasive and highly destructive to ash trees in North America. Its presence in Eden Prairie is growing.

    There’s a sharp increase in the number of Eden Prairie trees infested with the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive beetle known to damage ash trees and spread quickly.

    The numbers are adding urgency to the City of Eden Prairie’s response: ask property owners to treat undamaged ash trees and remove the infested trees that have been marked with an orange ring of paint.

    The city is still working on its annual winter survey and marking of infested ash trees in Eden Prairie, but already the number is around 900, said Matt Bourne, parks and natural resources manager for the city. That compares to about 130 infested ash trees documented a year ago, and about 20 the year before that.

    The annual survey is done in winter so that city tree inspectors can see into the leafless crown of the tree, where tell-tale signs of the borer can be found.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn-McReavy

    While many property owners are treating ash trees to protect them from EAB, 99 percent of the trees left untreated will die from the pest and need to be removed, according to the city.

    The infested ash trees have been marked with orange rings in recent weeks and property owners are being notified by mail about the need to remove the trees. Property owners must pay removal costs, but the city will haul away the downed tree if left at the curb.

    City code also provides for enforcement. If a property owner ignores the removal notice and deadline, the city can remove the tree on its own and assess the cost to the property owner.

    “The big thing is we need to get the tree down” and disposed of by April to slow EAB’s spread, Bourne said. First detected in Eden Prairie in about 2015, EAB appears to be spreading to pockets beyond the eastern side of the community where treatment and removal efforts have been focused.

    A lot is at stake. Bourne said that a survey of Eden Prairie performed a few years ago by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources estimated the community has about 50,000 ash trees, mostly on private property.

    Treating trees or removing them before they are infested is often less expensive than removing infested trees. Information about treatment options and the city’s EAB management plan are on the City of Eden Prairie website at www.edenprairie.org/EAB.

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe

    Comments

    Comments aren’t allowed on our site, but we do offer several ways to provide feedback, and have your voice heard. If you believe the story has an error, or would like to get in touch with the author, please contact us. If you would like to respond directly to this article, we welcome and encourage Letters To the Editor. You can find details on how to submit a letter on our contact page.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleJan. 26 COVID Update: Eden Prairie Schools, Eden Prairie, Hennepin County, Chanhassen, Chaska
    Next Article Later EPHS and CMS start times set for the 2021-22 school year

    More to READ

    5 Mins Read

    Noble Hill court case dismissed

    March 24, 2023
    1 Min Read

    EP accepting nominations for 2023 Heritage Preservation Award

    March 23, 2023
    3 Mins Read

    City eyes larger space for police

    March 22, 2023
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Police arrest suspect in connection to theft, gun possession

    March 27, 2023

    EP-based running club stays active all year long

    March 27, 2023

    EPHS names O’Leary as new head dance team coach

    March 27, 2023

    Standing with Ukraine in MN

    March 27, 2023

    Celebrating everyday heroes: Read three winning essays from the EP Optimist Club contest

    March 26, 2023
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2023
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.