Citywide EAB Management Strategies

Emerald Ash Borer Management

Forestry employs carefully planned management strategies to slow the spread of the emerald ash borer (EAB). Strategies such as monitoring, sanitation, and insecticide treatment work to slow the population of EAB in Saint Paul. Strategies such as structured removal remove blocks of infested ash trees and allows for new trees to be planted. This multifaceted approach to managing EAB will spread out the cost of EAB management over a longer, more manageable period of time and allow for a more efficient response. The following is a comprehensive list of strategies along with descriptions for reducing the population of EAB.

Current Year Management Plan: City of Saint Paul Emerald Ash Borer Management Program

Monitoring

  • Forestry staff survey city boulevard trees to identify infested boulevard ash trees annually between January and April. The removal of publicly owned infested ash tree is a priority. Staff will also inspect public ash trees for EAB upon citizen request. 
  • Forestry no longer surveys private properties for EAB infested trees due to a lack of personnel to complete the survey. However, private property ash trees that die from EAB and become dangerous may still require removal according to city ordinance. Contact a licensed tree care company if you want your private property ash inspected for EAB.

Sanitation

  • Public ash trees that are found to be infested with EAB are a priority for removal.

Insecticide Treatment

  • Insecticide treatments have been in use since 2011 on public property ash trees in Saint Paul.
  • Treatment of public trees is employed as a means of slowing the increase of EAB populations.
  • Criteria for boulevard ash tree treatment:
    • 10–20 inches DBH (diameter at breast height).
    • Good overall health without structural defects.
    • Good growing location with no overhead utility conflicts.
  • Public trees are currently being treated with TREE-age® (active ingredient Emamectin benzoate) via the trunk injection method.

Structured Removal

  • This program is the removal of blocks of EAB infested ash trees with the goal of reducing the overall amount of ash trees on public lands in Saint Paul.
  • Click here for additional information on structured removal.

Collaborative Efforts

  • Forestry works collaboratively with the state agencies and the University of Minnesota to manage EAB.