Plymouth Offers Advice, Help for Tree Loss

As the weather warms up, Minnesotans are undoubtedly thinking of springtime greenery. Past-years’ droughts, storms and invasive species, however, may make for fewer trees on the landscape this year.

The biggest culprit is the invasive emerald ash borer, the destructive tree beetle that has wreaked havoc on ash trees across the state. Plymouth City Forester Paul Buck said our region is in year nine or 10 of the EAB “explosion.” That explosion typically lasts 15 or 16 years, he said.

In the meantime, Buck said ash trees can be treated. In cases where removal is a better route, other trees can be planted in their place.

Buck said a variety of trees is encouraged to avoid another infestation.

“This is why we’ve been preaching diversity. So that 20-30 years down the road, we haven’t set ourselves up for the next problem we can’t see coming,” Buck said.

Plymouth is one of many cities holding a spring tree sale. Buck warns that most of the inventory is gone, but people can still check out the sale until its sold out.

Other northwest suburban cities also hold tree sales throughout the year. 

Plymouth