Emerald Ash Borer

Video - Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

Learn more about Emerald Ash Borer in Saint Peter by viewing this video prepared by Sara Arsenault, Community Forestry Corps Member.  If you suspect an ash tree has EAB, email the Public Works Department or call 934-0670.

Origination of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

Emerald Ash Borer, Fairmaire (Coleoptera Buprestidae), is an invasive beetle, first detected in southeastern Michigan in 2002. EAB larvae feeds on the inner bark of ash trees and attacks all species of ash trees found in Minnesota including green ash, black ash, and white ash. EAB has no natural predators in the USA and research has shown that it kills 99.7% of all ash trees common to Minnesota.

EAB in the Surrounding Area

EAB was first detected in Minnesota in 2009 in St Paul. In 2021 EAB was found in Nicollet County and Saint Peter.  Nicollet County is now under quarantine.  No regulated articles allowed to move outside of the county, unless they have a MDA certificate. 

For More Information: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/emerald-ash-borer-quarantine

Public Works staff is working to determine the quality, quantity and density of existing ash trees within the City. Staff has modeled the ash tree and urban forest inventory on our geographical information system (GIS). Our plan is to be proactive to mitigate the spread of EAB in our community by spreading the physical and fiscal costs associated with the outbreak of EAB over and extended time frame as detailed within the EAB management plan. 

Per the information collected from the GIS modeling, it has been deemed that the boulevard trees(s) adjacent to your property are to be removed. Any questions or concerns please contact the Maintenance Superintendent by phone 507-934-0670 or by e-mail joels@saintpetermn.gov.

The City has approximately 1000 ash trees on the public right of way which amounts to 22% of all boulevard trees. In addition, there are also large populations of ash trees on private property. EAB moves fairly slow; however, humans assist in the long distance spread of EAB by moving contaminated wood, such as bringing wood to campsites.

Management Plan

In the fall of 2018, the City of Saint Peter Council passed an EAB Management Plan (PDF). As part of the City commitment to resident education, communication, and outreach we want to distribute information from the EAB plan, share some EAB websites that have excellent information, and ask for your cooperation in minimizing the impacts of EAB within our urban forest.

Strategies

Within the EAB management plan there are 3 important strategies to help mitigate the effects of EAB.

  1. The City has adopted a proactive of treatment and/or removal of ash trees, removing those in decline and those requested to be removed. The intent is to slow the spread of EAB by reducing certain host trees.
  2. The City shall consider pesticide use for EAB on public trees to protect trees and reduce beetle populations in potential infested areas.
  3. Finally, replanting, as ash trees are removed, is perhaps the most important part of the EAB Management Plan. Reforestation with diverse species of young trees is the primary objective in retaining the City’s urban forest. While it is impossible to avoid pests and diseases, diversity in planting with mixed planting schemes can reduce the impact.

Resources

We are all stewards of the urban forest within Saint Peter, and the city encourages property owners to be proactive and vigilant for EAB. The more trained eyes who have knowledge of EAB the earlier it can be detected and the more management options the City will have to mitigate against EAB. There are numerous resources on EAB. Below is select list:

If you suspect an ash tree has EAB, email the Public Works Department or call 934-0670.