Inspections gear up today in hunt for emerald ash borer

Inspectors will examine ash trees on public and private property in the St. Paul neighborhood where the first infestation was reported.

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: May 21, 2009 - 4:50 PM

Inspections are starting today to determine the scope of the emerald ash borer infestation that was detected last week in St. Paul.

Staff members from the state Department of Agriculture will examine ash trees on public and private property in the affected St. Paul neighborhood northeast of the intersection of Hwy. 280 and Interstate Hwy. 94.

The survey will begin close to the initial infestation and then expand to other potentially affected areas. Those include northeast Minneapolis and the Mississippi River corridor near the University of Minnesota. State personnel will be joined by tree experts from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and University of Minnesota Extension Service.

"We know we've got a tough battle ahead, and we need to know more about the enemy we're fighting," said Geir Friisoe, the Agriculture Department's plant protection director. "If the infestation is limited to a small area and a few trees, it may be possible to eradicate the infestation by removing infested trees.

"However, the strategy would change if we find lots of infested trees over a large area. To know what of the control strategies might work best, we need to know the extent of the infestation."

Minnesota has about 900 million ash trees, with the highest concentration in northeastern Minnesota, especially St. Louis County.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482