Ash Tree Removal and Replacement in Roseville

What is Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a non-native, invasive insect from Asia that kills all species of ash (Fraxinus) trees. EAB is considered to be one of the most destructive forest pests to ever invade our country and has already killed hundreds of millions of ash trees since first being discovered in Detroit in 2002. Minnesota is home to the highest population of ash trees at nearly 1 billion, with over 2 million trees located along the streets and in the parks of our communities. EAB infests ash trees by laying eggs on the bark. EAB kills trees by the tunneling of larvae under the bark, interrupting the flow of nutrients and water through the tree.

EAB in Roseville

EAB was first discovered in Roseville in the northwestern quadrant of the city in 2013. Throughout the last nearly ten years, the city has implemented a multi-pronged, proactive approach to manage public ash trees including REMOVAL of infested trees, PLANTING of trees of a diverse variety of species to diversify our future tree canopy and TREATING select ash trees in order to preserve tree canopy. Due to the nature of this pest and the number of years since it was first discovered, the infestation has become widespread across Roseville, requiring the city to act in a more aggressive way to manage this pest. In order to manage the city’s 1,152 ash trees of public property, the city of Roseville has recently entered into contract with Tree Trust, a St. Paul-based non-profit, to implement an accelerated EAB management plan. While the components of the plan has not dramatically changed, the pace at which all untreated ash trees will be removed and eventually replanted will be expedited and is expected to be completed by 2025.