Updates:

Contracted Protection Pricing for 2025

• Residential customers will pay $7.25 per diameter inch to protect ash trees. 

Need To Know Information: 

Property Owner Responsibilities

Property owners in Hastings have the responsibility to care for and maintain boulevard trees. This includes protecting ash trees from Emerald Ash Borer and removal and replacement if a tree becomes infested with Emerald Ash Borer. 

Since 2017 the City has worked with Rainbow TreeCare to negotiated discounted pricing for Hastings residents to protect their ash trees. Protection of ash trees is a proven process to keep ash trees healthy and pest free.

The 2025 cost for protection is $7.25 per diameter inch. On average, tree protection will range between $70.00 and $200.00 for 2 years of protection. This treatment injects an insecticide directly into the tree, it is quick and effective.

Rainbow TreeCare can be found online at www.rainbowtreecare.com/hastings/ or at 952-922-3810. Their website contains a wealth of information regarding EAB treatments and cost comparisons.

Ash Tree Removal

Any tree which becomes pest infested (EAB), diseased or hazardous must be removed, this includes both boulevard and private trees. When boulevard trees are removed, the stump must also be removed and a new, approved boulevard tree must be replanted.

General Emerald Ash Borer Information:

What is EAB?

EAB stands for emerald ash borer. It is an insect that attacks and kills all species of ash trees that grow in Minnesota. The beetle is a small (less than ½ inch) iridescent green bug that feeds on ash trees during the summer. It lays eggs underneath the bark and as the eggs develop into larvae they feed on the cambium underneath the bark denying the tree the nutrients it needs to survive. Ultimately the tree dies over a two to three year period.

Symptoms of EAB Infestation

• Crown dieback from the top
• New epicormic (the lower trunk) shoots or growth
• D-shaped exit holes
• Bark splitting
• S-shaped or serpentine shaped galleries formed under the bark
• Extensive woodpecker damage

What can be done?

• Positively identify trees and have them professionally evaluated.
• Proactively treat ash trees with insecticides.
  • Professional tree care services offer injection treatments.
  • Property owners can purchase and apply soil drench insecticides.  Follow the instructions on the label, it is the law.
  • If you treat a boulevard tree, save your receipts!
• Tree removals effectively eliminate EAB's food source.
  • Trees on private property can be removed at any time and does not require coordination with the City Forester.
  • Removal of trees within boulevard spaces must be authorized by the City Forester, and the removal must be done through a licensed tree removal service.
• Monitor the condition of all trees on your property, keep an eye out for damage and pests.

What is the City doing?

•  A complete boulevard and park tree inventory has been completed.
  • Approximately 1,000 ash trees are within boulevard spaces, this represents 22% of all boulevard trees.
  • Approximately 500 desirable ash trees exist with parks and open spaces.
• The City Forester began protecting ash trees in parks and public spaces in 2017.
  • The approved treatment plan will treat 1/3rd of the ash trees each year.
  • The treatment plan is anticipated to run for at least 10 years.
• The City will continue to communicate with residents on City efforts and the importance of proactive/preventative control efforts.

What else?

• Do not buy or move firewood if you do not know its identity or source. Movement of infested wood has been the most prevalent way of transporting the pests from infested to uninfested areas.
• Avoid pruning Ash trees until late fall or winter when trees are dormant.
• Look for the symptoms of EAB in Ash trees and if you have questions or concerns, contact the Parks and Recreation Department 651-480-6175 or call a tree care professional.

Prior City Council Actions:

On April 4th, 2017 the Parks & Recreation Committee of Council (Braucks*, Folch, Leifeld) met and discussed boulevard tree maintenance requirements.  The meeting's packet materials provide background along with current ordinance and policies.  The meeting follow up summarizes the Committee's action.

• Council Committee Packet Materials 4.4.17 
• Council Committee Follow Up 4.4.17

On May 1st, 2017 the City Council discussed and adopted the boulevard tree maintenance recommendation forwarded by the Parks & Recreation Committee of Council.  Parks & Recreation Director, Chris Jenkins also provided a brief presentation related to EAB including a map of ash trees in boulevards.

• Council Packet Materials 5.1.17
• Presentation 5.1.17
• Boulevard Ash Tree Map 5.1.17

Resources:

EAB Protection/Treatment Vendors:

• Rainbow Treecare
  • Phone 952-922-3810 
  • EAB Hotline: 952-767-6920
  • Website: https://www.rainbowtreecare.com/
• Save a Tree
  • Phone: 651-964-4001
  • Website: http://www.savatree.com/
• S&S
  • Phone: 651-451-8907
  • Website: http://www.sstree.com/ 

Online Resources:

Minnesota Department of Agriculture https://www.mda.state.mn.us/eab

Arrest the pest https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/arrest-pest

Emerald Ash Borer Insecticides:  https://www.mda.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/inline-files/eablabelguide.pdf

Home owner guide to insecticide selection, use, and environmental Protection https://www.mda.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/inline-files/EAB%20Homeowner%20Insecticide%20Guide%208.15.18b%20pages.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Potential Side Effects of Systemic insecticides used to control EAB https://www.mda.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/inline-files/2011eabinsecticidereview.ashx_.pdf

Finding Tree Care Help: Certified Arborist and MN Tree Care Advisors https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional

University of Minnesota EAB Risk Status https://www.mda.state.mn.us/eab