HomeMy WebLinkAboutAsh Tree RemovalContact: Debbie Townsend, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0346 • dtownsend@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Infected Ash Trees Being Removed and Replaced With New Trees
Edina, Minn., June 9, 2025 – The City has treated prominent ash trees when possible and removed potentially hazardous trees as they have been identified, but remaining ash trees damaged
by the emerald ash borer are being removed from parks and public spaces.
More than 250 infested trees will be cut down by Castle Rock Contracting & Tree starting in June. Hoffman and McNamara Nursery and Landscape will follow by filling the holes and seeding
the affected areas. For each tree removed, two new trees will be planted as replacements. Those plantings will happen in early spring 2026 as that’s the best time for a successful start
for these new trees, City Forester Luther Overholt said.
“This project will focus on removing ash trees that could pose a public hazard,” Overholt said.
The work and replacements will be paid for by a $480,000 Minnesota Shade Tree Program Bonding Grant from the state Department of Natural Resources. The competitive grants cover removing
ash trees and replacement of them with a climate-adapted species. Sustainability Specialist Matthew Gabb wrote the successful grant application.
The emerald ash borer is an invasive beetle from Asia. Its larvae burrow into ash trees and feed, fatally damaging the trees. The insect has spread across the United States and has killed
tens of millions of ash trees in North America, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The City has been treating prominent ash trees in parks and public spaces for several years. Trees must be treated regularly and for the rest of their lives, so it’s labor intensive
and expensive. Some ash trees also are difficult to access for treatment. Due to the cost, the City Council chose to treat those prominent trees, at the discretion of the City Forester,
and begin removal of the rest. In many cases, Park Maintenance has planted a different tree species by an ash tree prior to removal to lessen the visual and environmental impact of
removal. A map of treated ash trees can be found at EdinaMN.gov/Maps.
Private property owners who have not already treated their trees should have their trees removed as it’s too late to save them. Damaged ash trees pose a hazard as branches or the entire
tree can fall. Contact an arborist for proper removal.
For more information, contact Overholt at LOverholt@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0308.
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