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Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a destructive, invasive insect that attacks and kills ash trees. Since its discovery in Burnsville in 2010, EAB has continued to spread, impacting ash trees throughout the city on both public and private property.
Protect your Property from EAB
Signs of Infestation
You may be able to spot an infestation by looking for these common symptoms:
Thinning canopy: Leaves at the top of the tree begin to die back.
D-shaped exit holes: Tiny holes (about ⅛ inch wide) in the bark, left behind by emerging adult beetles.
S-shaped tunnels under the bark, visible if bark is peeled back.
Vertical bark cracks or splitting.
Heavy woodpecker activity, especially in winter, as birds feed on EAB larvae.
Learn More about EAB in Minnesota
What to do if your tree has EAB
If your tree is healthy, you can treat it with insecticide to slow or stop EAB damage. Treatment is most effective when started early and repeated every few years. A licensed tree care company can help you decide if it’s a good candidate.
Residents interested in this method should hire a City-licensed tree contractor with a commercial pesticide applicator’s license. Residents are responsible for the full cost of treatments for private ash trees.
We have partnered with Rainbow Treecare for the treatment of City-owned ash trees and to offer Burnsville residents discounted rates on treatment of privately owned trees.
Learn more about EAB treatment from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
If your tree is already declining or heavily infested, removal may be the safest option. Dead or dying ash trees can become brittle and dangerous. Work with a City-licensed tree contractor for safe removal.
Dakota County is on the MDA’s list of EAB quarantined counties. Quarantine restricts the movement of ash wood outside the county.
After removal, consider planting a new, diverse species that will thrive for years to come. Check out the annual Arbor Day Tree sale for discounted options for residents.
Our EAB Response
We’re working hard to protect Burnsville’s tree canopy and public spaces.
- Monitor: Our team track the condition of ash trees in parks and boulevards to detect signs of infestation.
- Treat: In select cases, healthy public ash trees are treated with trunk-injected insecticide to slow EAB damage and preserve tree canopy in key areas.
- Remove: Trees in poor or declining condition that present a public safety concern are removed in phases to prevent the spread to healthy trees.
- Replace: Where appropriate, removed ash trees are replaced with a mix of tree species to help rebuild a stronger, more resilient canopy for future generations.
If a boulevard tree near your property is scheduled for removal, the City will notify you by mail or door hanger.
Questions?
Contact our Forestry team via email or call 952-895-4508