Golden Valley Considers Ending Removal of EAB-infested Trees
The city of Golden Valley may be done policing privately-owned trees for an invasive species.
The Golden Valley City Council moved ahead with a policy ending the mandated removal of trees affected by emerald ash borer.
The invasive beetle kills ash trees as it tunnels through their bark. It was first discovered in Golden Valley in 2018.
To try to slow the spread, the city condemns infested trees, requiring property owners to remove or treat these trees in a short period of time.
A piece of bark shows damage from emerald ash borer infestation.
According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the insect has now infested the entire Twin Cities.
As a result, city officials say that mandating the expensive removal of trees is not an effective way to stop EAB’s spread.
“When a tree is attacked with EAB, you can save it potentially for multiple years or its death can be slow,” said Golden Valley City Council Member Sophia Ginis. “So giving folks the ability to plan for that financial impact now that controlling the spread is no longer urgent I think makes a lot of sense.”
The Golden Valley City Council voted 5-0 to approve the first reading of the ordinance.
Kieffer said the city has held off on condemning ash trees over the past month while considering this ordinance.
The city still plans to condemn trees with oak wilt or Dutch elm disease.
