Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle that kills all ash trees native to Minnesota. The larvae of the beetle eat the layer underneath the bark of the tree. This cuts off the movement of nutrients and water necessary for the tree to survive. The adult is a small green beetle that is not often seen.

Shoreview is within the EAB Infested Area. This means that all ash trees in the city either are or will become infested with EAB unless they are being treated. 

Ramsey County is a quarantined county for EAB. It is against the law to move any ash wood and material outside of quarantined counties. Visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's status map to see where EAB has spread in the state. 

How to identify an ash tree

Symptoms of an EAB infestation

  • Canopy dieback - thinning of the outer branches of the tree
  • High woodpecker activity - woodpeckers feed on the larvae beneath the bark causing the outer bark to fall off
  • Shoot/suckers growing from the trunk of the tree

Options for ash trees

Unfortunately, the only options for ash trees are treatment or removal.

  • Treatment - trees with low level infestations that are otherwise healthy can be treated by injecting the trunk with an appropriate pesticide, such as emamectin benzoate. Trees should have no more than 30% canopy decline. Treatments need to be reapplied every other year.
    • The city in-house treatment program is full. Contact us if you are interested in being added to the 2024 waitlist.
      • Treatment is not guaranteed for quote requests.
      • Note that many trees that have not already been treated are too heavily infested for treatment to be effective at this time. 
    • Or contact a licensed tree company that offers treatment services for quotes.
  • Removal - See the list of tree companies licensed in Shoreview to contact for quotes about removals on private property.

Ash trees on city property

Shoreview has been using multiple methods to slow the spread and manage EAB including treatments, removals, education, and replanting. Ash trees on city property are either being treated or planned for removal.

Boulevard ash tree removals will take place over the next several years according to available budget.

Find out if a tree near your property is in the boulevard by looking at the map below. The map below shows ash trees that are located within the city boulevard. The city owns a strip of land, or boulevard, between the street and the property line, with the width varying by street. The boulevard is part of the city right-of-way. The right-of-way may include public streets, public and private utilities, and sidewalks. 

Boulevard ash tree map

Resources

Questions?

Jeremiah Walters, natural resources specialist
 651-490-4667 | Email Jeremiah