Plymouth Reminds Residents Of Emerald Ash Borer Spread

Press release from the City of Plymouth:

February 5, 2021

The City of Plymouth would like to remind residents of the continuing progression of invasive Emerald Ash Borer as forestry staff takes note of new hotspots within Plymouth.

The small, invasive insect infects ash trees and spreads quickly, typically killing most ash trees in its path. EAB was confirmed in Plymouth in 2015 and continues to be a threat to trees in the city.

Hotspots Emerge

Over the past few years, city forestry staff has handled EAB infections sporadically throughout the city. However, in recent months, a handful of larger, more significant areas of EAB activity have been reported.

General areas with EAB clusters include:

• Highway 55 and Rockford Road
• Interstate 494 and Rockford Road
• Zachary Lane N. and Ridgemount Ave. N.

“As we work to manage these clusters, it’s very likely that there are more in the surrounding areas,” City Forester Paul Buck said. “Now more than ever, if you have ash trees on your property, it’s imperative to either treat or remove them.”

A Good Time to Act

Now is a good time for residents to develop a plan if their trees are affected by EAB. Removal is recommended during the dormant season (October through April). This timing removes the largest volume of inactive larvae/borers from the infestation area without dispersing them during transport to an approved disposal site. The City of Plymouth offers a tree replacement program for residents who remove ash trees.

If residents would like to attempt to save their trees, treatment is recommended in May-June. To learn more about EAB in Plymouth, and for information on developing a plan, visit plymouthmn.gov/eab.

This press release was produced by the City of Plymouth. The views expressed here are the author’s own.