2015-08-04_PR Comm Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Issues EAB Update Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a serious invasive tree pest that attacks and kills ash trees, was confirmed in Roseville in March of 2013. Since then, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has enacted a quarantine to help slow the spread of EAB to other areas. MDA is also conducting annual surveys to monitor the insect within the City. The Spring 2015 survey revealed that the EAB has been found in a small number of new locations in Roseville. These additional locations, however, have increased the EAB-infestation zone. This increased infestation zone, defined by MDA as a one-mile radius around a confirmed EAB-infested ash tree, now includes most ash trees in the western half of the city, west of Lexington Ave. The City has enacted a Best Management Practices plan for slowing and controlling EAB. The plan requires infested trees on public property be removed, though some trees on public property considered to be in a significant location are being treated. The City is also replacing removed elm trees with different species. Property owners located within the infestation zone who own an ash tree are being warned that the tree will become infested with EAB. Taking action now is critical to slowing the spread of the insect as well as reducing the economic impact on residents and the community. Options for combating the infestation include treating the tree with a trunk injection of the pesticide emamectin benzoate, which kills the insect; removing the tree; or waiting until the tree has an infestation and then removing the tree between Sept 1 and May 1. The best time of year to treat an ash tree is in the spring. Trunk injection treatments are recommended to be performed every two years for the life of the tree. If an infested tree is found on private property and action is not taken by the property owner, the City will require the tree be removed at the expense of the property owner. All tree care companies that trim or remove trees in the City of Roseville must by licensed. A list of licensed tree contractors can be found at www.cityofroseville.com/2720/Licensed-Tree-Contractors. For more information about EAB in Roseville, please contact Forestry Coordinator Anita Twaroski at 651- 792-7142. A map detailing the infestation zone in Roseville is located at www.cityofroseville.com/EABmap. Additional EAB information and resources can also be found at: Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/eab.aspx Minnesota DNR: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestials/eab/index.html http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden University of Minnesota: http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/EAB/pdf/NABB_DecisionGuide.pdf Purdue University: