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2 <br />City of Elk River <br />Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan <br />Purpose <br />The City of Elk River has determined the most appropriate management approach for <br />emerald ash borer (EAB) is the systematic removal of ash trees on public property. The <br />objectives of this plan are to educate the public on the effects of EAB, maintain public safety <br />through timely removals of ash trees, minimizing the financial impact to the city by utilizing <br />a systematic approach to treatments, and lowering the risk of future tree canopy loss through <br />a diversified urban forest. <br />Introduction <br />Emerald ash borer (EAB), otherwise known as Agrilus planipennis, is native to eastern Asia. <br />This insect was discovered in the United States in 2002 and has since spread to 36 states <br />including Minnesota in 2009. In Minnesota, EAB has spread rapidly to 50 counties and has <br />already killed millions of ash trees with some cities reporting a complete loss of all ash trees <br />within five years of EAB becoming established. EAB was first identified in Elk River in <br />2023; however Minnesota Department of Agricultural staff determined it has likely been <br />present since 2018 and is already widespread throughout the city. <br />All species of ash (Fraxinus) trees native to Minnesota are susceptible to infestation by EAB. <br />EAB is spread by adult beetles laying eggs on the bark of an ash tree which hatch into larvae <br />that bore into the tree. The larvae tunnel into the phloem layer of the tree, just under the <br />bark and disrupt the movement of water and nutrients, eventually killing the tree. The adult <br />beetles emerge in the spring and can travel at least a half-mile on their own; however EAB is <br />spread much faster through the movement of ash materials such as firewood, brush and <br />logs. <br />A tree inventory conducted in Elk River in 2013 found 9.2% of all trees within the city are <br />ash with 9.1% of all public trees and 10.1% of all private trees being ash. Based on this <br />survey, it is estimated that there are approximately 1,000 publicly owned ash trees in public <br />rights-of-way, city facilities, and maintained areas of parks; this survey approximates the total <br />ash population within the city at 4,800. <br />Administration <br />The City Administrator will be responsible for administering and implementing the <br />provisions of this plan and keeping the City Council updated. <br />EAB Identification <br />Signs and symptoms of EAB include: <br />▪Bark splitting <br />▪Vertical fissures on bark <br />Page 47 of 464