Trees : Emerald Ash Borer
The Public Works Department has begun a survey of ash trees along boulevards throughout the City regarding the invasion of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) that threatens to destroy the ash tree population.
The invasion of the EAB has worked its way across the nation from the east coast and has arrived in Minnesota. Saint Paul discovered the Asia EAB in 2009. As of August 2011 the Twin Cities has four cities with confirmed EAB which include Saint Paul, Minneapolis, Falcon Heights and recently Shoreview.
St. Paul Park will become a victim of EAB at some point in time. That being said, Public Works will be removing ash trees throughout the City to lessen the food chain for the EAB along with the burden of mass removal efforts when it does arrive in St. Paul Park. These are lessons learned from the Dutch Elm Disease from the 1970's which wiped out all elm trees.
The City will deal with boulevard trees only working on removal and disposal, no replanting of trees are planned at this time.
If you should have any questions regarding the EAB, the removal of trees or planting new trees, contact Public Works at (651) 459-3730.
