Emerald ash borer found in Edina

The discovery was made Friday at a home in the northwest part of the city.

April 17, 2018 at 8:45PM
Bands were put around ash trees along Grand Avenue in St. Paul last year. Minneapolis and St. Paul have cut down thousands of trees because of emerald ash borer infestation.
Bands were put around ash trees along Grand Avenue in St. Paul last year. Minneapolis and St. Paul have cut down thousands of trees because of emerald ash borer infestation. (Tom Wallace — Star Tribune file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The dreaded metallic green emerald ash borer (EAB) has made its way to Edina, threatening the west metro suburb's 50,000 ash trees, the city and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said.

Officials on Friday confirmed that an ash tree on private property in the northwest part of the city had been attacked by larvae, which tunnel and feed on the tree's inner bark and disrupt its ability to transport water and nutrients. Eventually, the tree dies.

This is the first time the borer has been found in Edina, but it was not unexpected. The discovery comes after the borer had killed trees in neighboring cities, including Minneapolis, Richfield, Bloomington and Eden Prairie.

Chemical treatments are available to help protect healthy ash trees or those that have minor infestations. Application must be done every two to three years, the city said.

"We are at the point where our infestation is new enough that we still have options," said city forester Luther Overhold. "All the trees are still treatable. If treated, they have to be treated for the lifetime of the tree."

Since most of Edina's ash trees are on private property, the city is recommending that residents contact an arborist to evaluate their options.

Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768

about the writer

about the writer

Tim Harlow

Reporter

Tim Harlow covers traffic and transportation issues in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and likes to get out of the office, even during rush hour. He also covers the suburbs in northern Hennepin and all of Anoka counties, plus breaking news and weather. 

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