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Tree Maintenance


In May of 2020, the City of Columbia Heights planted 214 bare root trees in its new gravel bed. The bare root trees will stay in the gravel bed until this fall when they will be planted throughout the City. This project was conducted in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and a donation from the Columbia Heights Lions.

Ash and Honey Locust Plant Bugs in Minnesota
The most common tree feeding plant bugs in Minnesota are the ash plant bug and the honey locust plant bug.  The ash plant bug feeds on green, white and black ash while the honey locust plant bug feeds on all varieties of honey locust planted in urban landscapes.

emerald ashEmerald Ash Borer 
The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), commonly referred to as EAB, was introduced to the United States from Asia and first detected in southeast Michigan in June 2002.  This destructive beetle has killed tens of millions of ash trees where it has been discovered.  
EAB was discovered in St. Paul in May 2009.  

Crews have removed unhealthy ash trees and used two-year, ongoing cycle treatments for larger, healthy trees.  City officials are encouraging private property owners with ash trees to consider plans for treatment or removal.

There are approximately 870 million ash trees in Minnesota, one of the largest concentrations of any state in the country. 
Select the following links for more information:  mda.state.mndnr.state.mn, EAB University webinars.
                     

Moving untreated firewood can spread pests. Many invasive pest species live on or in trees, lumber, and firewood. Quarantines are in place for counties affected by Emerald ash borer help prevent new infestations within the state. New infestations may be found so check quarantine maps on a regular basis. 

Firewood in quarantined counties cannot be moved without a certificate. For q
uestions about invasive species and firewood regulations contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 651-201-6684 (metro) or 888-545-6684 (greater Minnesota).