Forestry staff assisted MDA with the placement of purple "traps" in ash trees throughout Saint Paul (eastern limit is Rice St). These traps attract EAB both with the color purple and a scent pouch placed in the middle of the tree that emits a chemical which smells like a stressed ash tree (EAB are inclined to go to stressed ash more so than healthy ash). The outside of the triangular trap is covered in a sticky substance that insects cannot get out of once attached. These traps will be monitored by MDA staff throughout the summer and removed this fall-the point of the traps is to see how widespread EAB actually is in the metro area.
Forestry staff began issuing permits for the treatment of public property ash trees to homeowners who have hired a tree service company to do the work. Permits are available free of charge under the following conditions:
- the city's review of whether the tree or trees still warrant chemical treatment
- hiring a City of Saint licensed tree service that is bonded and insured
- is a State of Minnesota Licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator
- using state approved trunk injection EAB pesticides only (Limiting to trunk injections hopefully reduces pesticide exposure to others and the environment overall)
- permits are only good for six months and one application
- applications for permits are available from our Forestry office and the contractor can pick up
- records of the pesticide treatment must be turned over to the city to have on file
- Chemical treatment would not preclude future removal of said ash tree if deemed necessary
Thus far permits have been issued or are in the process of being issued for the treatment of about 15 public property ash trees. None of those trees are in the SSA neighborhood.
Update for week of June 15-19:
Tuesday, June 16: P&R Natural Resources staff met with Minn. Dept of Ag, Mpls Park & Rec Board, USDA and representatives from other local govt's to discuss storm mitigation. The possibility of setting up storm debris marshaling yards in the SSA neighborhood had been a topic of discussion in previous weeks. The idea being that in the event of a storm any ash and other tree debris be taken care of (chipped) in the immediate area so that the possibility of further human-induced spread of EAB is eliminated. Natural Resources stafff continue to work with the MDA and others to finalize a plan in the event of a storm this summer.
Wednesday, June 17th: P&R Director, Mike Hahm, presented the EAB Management Plan to City Council. The plan outlines a "structured" removal of ash trees in Saint Paul and replanting of said trees. Enactment of this plan is based on funding availability.
Information on EAB~-~-~-~
http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?nid=2495
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/eab.htm
http://www.extension.umn.edu/issues/eab/
Rachel Coyle
Natural Resources Technician
City of Saint Paul
Department of Parks & Recreation
