The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed that a tree in Roseville has been infested with the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The tree is on private property located in the 2800 block of Snelling Ave.
Roseville will notify the property owners, and they will be responsible for removing the ash tree. The city will also notify neighbors in the area of the potential threat of EAB and provide information and resources to prevent the spread of the insect.
EABs attack and kill ash trees. The larvae are worm-like grubs that kill trees by tunneling under the tree's bark. Adults are small, iridescent green beetles that live outside of trees during the summer months. All ash trees are susceptible to EAB.
Minnesota has one of the highest volumes of ash on forestland in the United States. Roseville estimates that about 25% of public trees in the city are ash trees. The spread of EAB could have a devastating effect on a community.
The City of Roseville will continue to work with MDA to monitor trees in the area, looking for signs of EAB. Roseville residents who have concerns about ash trees on their property are encourage to contact Roseville’s Seasonal Forestry Technician Anita Twaroski at 651-792-7142. She will work with property owners to find resources to identify EAB and options to protect their trees.