Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 11/02/2009

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4. Ash trees in wooded areas will be left alone - unless by abikepath or structure and may cause harm if it falls. If it is an early EAB infestation we will be removing infested trees as needed to slow the spread to the community. 5. Specimen ash trees will be replaced. In wooded areas, natural regeneration will playa significant role in reforesting parkland, but invasive/non-native plants will create future management challenges. Trees on Private Property: 1. There are many thousands of ash tree large and small on private property in Rochester. No reliable inventory exists, and ash densities vary by neighborhood. 2. Property owners are urged to monitor for the EAB. 3. City of Rochester Ordinance 47.01-47.11 Shade Tree Disease Control has been updated to reflect the Emerald Ash Borer threat. The same parameters concerning Dutch Elm Disease and Oak wilt are appropriate measures to slow the spread of EAB. 4. The City will enforce the relevant sections of housing code should it receive complaints about hazardous private trees. As of 2009 this only reflects the condemnation of 100% dead / standing trees. 5. It would be prudent for residents to establish a relationship with an ISA Certified Arborist now in the event that ash evaluation or removal is desired. Contractors must attain a commercial tree worker license from the City of Rochester. The forestry division also encourages citizens and tree firms to wait and treat ash trees until EAB is confirmed within 15 miles of Rochester as recommended by the MN Department of Agriculture. 6. The City also encourages residents to replace trees lost with species appropriate for the site, or to plant new trees in advance of EAB infestation and ash removal as a way of tree canopy cover and lessening the large economic and environmental impact of the Emerald Ash Borer.