Tree Advisory Commission

AGENDA Tree Advisory Commission Meeting 4:00 PM - Thursday, November 6, 2025 City Hall Council Chambers Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 2.1. Chairperson welcomes all, including guests. Commissioners & Advisors introduce themselves. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3.1. Motion by______________Second by_____________to approve, or amend and approve, this November 6, 2025 agenda. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.1. Motion by______________Second by_____________to approve, or amend 3-4 and approve, the September 4, 2025 meeting minutes. 09_04_2025 TAC Meeting Minutes 5. OLD BUSINESS 5.1. City Reimbursement Programs & Budget Update - J. Stadheim Engineering 5 Dept. 2025 Tree Reimbursement Program and Expenses Program - October 29, 2025 5.2. Park and Recreation Department Update - J. Schugel 5.3. Public Works Update - J. Hoffmann 5.4. Private Tree Services Update - T. Guggisberg 5.5. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Update - Joe Stadheim, Engineer 6 - 33 2025 Releaf Application_New Ulm 5.6. Big Tree Contest 34 There were 4 entries for the Big Tree Contest. The winner is Austin Lorentz with a Gingko tree measuring 52.5 inches. A press release will be sent announcing the winner. Letters will be sent to all participants. Big Tree Contest History 5.7. Neighborhood Walk-A-Bout Program 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1. 2026 Election of Officers Calling for Nomination of Chairperson Motion by _______ Second by _____ to elect Commissioner _____ as Chairperson for 2026. Calling for Nomination of Vice Chairperson Page 1 of 34  Motion by _____ Second by _____ to elect Commissioner _____ as Vice Chairperson for 2026. 6.2. Determine Date of Meeting in January 2026. 6.3. Round of applause and "Thank You's" for service to the City of New Ulm as a Tree Advisory Commissioner to Greg Diersen, who served in this role for the past 6 years, and Paul Egeland, who served in this role for 3.5 years. 7. COMMISSIONER REPORTS 8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING 8.1. 4:00 pm, January 2026 meeting date to be determined at the November meeting, City Hall Council Chambers. Please email agenda items to the Park and Recreation Department Administrative Assistant, Donitta Trebesch no later than one week prior to meetings. donittat@newulmmn.gov 9. ADJOURNMENT 9.1. With there being no further business, Chairperson declares the meeting adjourned. Page 2 of 34  New Ulm Tree Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes September 4, 2025 1. Commission meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Commission Chair Diersen. 2. Roll Call Attendance 2.1 Greg Diersen Chair Present Paul Egeland Vice Chair Present Miriam Hoffmann Commissioner Present Lee Knauf Commissioner Present Jordy Veit Commissioner Present Tony Guggisberg Advisor Absent Jeff Hoffman Public Works Superintendent - Advisor Present Joey Schugel Director, Park and Recreation - Advisor Present Joe Stadheim City Engineer – Advisor Present 3. Approval of Agenda 3.1 Motion was made by Egeland seconded by Veit to approve the September 4, 2025 meeting agenda. Motion carried. 4. Approval of Minutes 4.1 Motion was made by Knauf seconded by Hoffmann to approve the May 1, 2025 meeting minutes. Motion carried. 5. Old Business: 5.1 2025 City Reimbursement Programs and Budget Update • Plantings: 29 trees reimbursed for a total of $3447.55. • Removals: 156 trees reimbursed for a total of $15607.09. • Printing Expense: $1,040 • Home Show Expense: $300 As of this update, $8,762.45 remains in the regular budget, with an additional $84,392.91 available in the Diseased Tree Program Reimbursement Fund ($5,426.72 for expenses incurred July 1 – December 31, 2025). 5.2 Park and Recreation Department Update • Ash Inventory - 61 Ash Trees remain in city parks. Most of the larger trees have been removed. Staff continue to treat trees when possible. • New Memorial trees have been planted in Lincoln Park and at the Civic Center. 5.3 Public Works Update – Hoffmann • Stump Removal - Stump removal is scheduled to begin in mid-September. Crews will remove approximately 130 boulevard tree stumps, along with additional stumps located in city parks. 5.4 Private Tree Services Update – No update. 5.5 EAB Update. – No update. 5.6 Big Tree Contest – The species for the contest for 2025 is the Ginkgo. We received 4 submissions. Paul Egeland and Lee Knauf will measure the trees and submit the measurements to Park and Recreation Administrative Assistant. 5.7 Walkabout Program Recap – New Ulm League of Women Voters member Deb Egeland presented a recap of the Walkabout Program that took place between June 5 – June 18. Also discussed having additional dates and changes for future walks. Page 3 of 34 6. New Business: 6.1 Minnesota DNR Tree Grant – Stadheim reported on Minnesota DNR Tree Grant application. • DNR has reopened the Releaf Grants. $7,000,000 in funds available through the grant. • Estimated that there are 382 Ash trees remaining on city property. 61 parks. 27 on other properties. 294 on boulevards. Cost of removal estimated at $210,000, new plantings cost estimated at $153,000. • Requesting $362,903 through the Releaf Grant. • Finalizing the grant application and submitting. Motion made by Egeland to draft a letter of support for the Grants, seconded by Veit. Motion carried. 7. Commission Reports Veit reported that he has done presentations for C.A.S.T. (Community and Seniors Together) in the past and this may be an opportunity for the Commission to look into for a presentation on trees. 8. Next Meeting 8.1 Next meeting Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 4:00 pm, City Council Chambers. Please email agenda items to the New Ulm Park and Recreation Administrative Assistant, Donitta Trebesch no later than one week prior to meetings: donittat@newulmmn.gov. 9. Adjourned - Respectfully submitted, Donitta Trebesch, Park and Recreation Administrative Assistant. Page 4 of 34  2025 Tree Advisory Commission Reimbursement Program Jan. 1st - July 1st Budgeted Amounts Unused Amounts July 1st - Dec. 31st Expenses Expenses Boulevard Tree Planting Program Reimbursements $10,000.00 $4,277.91 $5,722.09 Diseased Tree Program Reimbursements $100,000.00 $18,383.66 $76,189.62 $5,426.72 Contractual Services Expenses $1,000.00 $0.00 $1,000.00 Tree Pest Policy and Education Expenses $800.00 $0.00 $800.00 Printing and Pamphlet Expenses $1,400.00 $1,040.00 $360.00 Home Show $350.00 $300.00 $50.00 Sub TOTAL $113,550.00 2024 Budget carry-Over Amount $0.00 TOTALS $113,550.00 $19,723.66 $93,826.34 Trees Planted Qty: 36 Trees Removed Qty: 172 Account Number: 101-1000-355203 October 29, 2025 Page 5 of 34  ReLeaf Community Forestry Grants 2025 Application Please refer to the Request for Applications (RFA) when completing this application. Submit this form, along with required attachments, to ucf.dnr@state.mn.us by October 28, 2025. Name of Organization City of New Ulm Project Coordinator John Knisley Project Coordinator Title City Planner Address (as found in SWIFT) 100 North Broadway City, State, Zip New Ulm, MN 56073 County Brown Project Coordinator Email johnk@newulmmn.gov Project Coordinator Phone Number 507-233-2121, x131 Grant Amount Requested $362,900 Authorized Signer(s) Name(s) & Email(s) Chris Dalton, City Manager, Individual(s) from your organization with signing authority for chrisd@newulmmn.gov contracts in the event of grant award. If tree removal is incorporated into this project, please list estimated percentages of how wood waste is managed: (no score, taken into account throughout proposal) ____ Not Applicable/No Trees Removed ____ Durable Wood Products (ex. Timber, lumber, building materials, furniture, decorative wood products) 25 Soil Amendments (ex. Biochar, compost, mulch) ____ ____ BioEnergy (ex. Combined heat & power, thermal energy, pelletizing, biogas, advanced biofuels) 75 Disposal (ex. Open burning, land disposal, landfilling) ____ 25 Total % of wood waste being utilized____/100 Page Page 16ofof 5 34 PROJECT PRIORITY What percent of your project is dedicated to the Priority Areas? (3 points) Please provide a percentage between 0-100% that reflects the proportion of eligible activities directed at Priority Areas. 0 ______________% Please describe how you arrived at this percentage. (3 points) In your response, explain which eligible activities occur in Priority Areas, how you calculated their share of the project, and describe any assumptions or data used (e.g., maps, population estimates, tree inventories, staff hours, financial allocations, etc.). Reviewed priority area map. No priority areas are within the New Ulm Corporate Limits. PROJECT APPLICATION Project Overview and Need (30 points; 2600-character limit) Provide a summary of the project, why this funding is needed, what project work will not happen without these grant funds and expected outcomes. Include a description of project locations (citywide project, boulevards, specific parks, etc.). A high-scoring application will demonstrate a readiness to take on a project of the proposed scope and size, showcase significant need, and will prioritize the preservation and maintenance/increase of canopy cover. The City of New Ulm discovered the presence of Emerald Ash Borer in our community in 2019. Since the discovery it has been spreading throughout the community at a rapid rate. It is the goal of the City to help reduce the Emerald Ash Borer population by acting quickly to remove as many ash as possible and re-forest our community with different tree species. The City has been successful in removing 574 boulevard ash trees through DNR grants from 2019 and 2021. After the City removals and private property owner removals, our current estimates on remaining ash trees are 294 boulevard and 88 park/public property remaining in the City. The average cost in the community to remove a boulevard tree averages $550 per tree. The City is seeking grant funding of $362,900 for the removal and replacement of all the remaining ash trees 294 from boulevards and the removal of 88 trees located in our City Parks. With the understanding that EAB has taken a hold in our community we are focused on removing as many ash as possible regardless of current health of the tree. We estimate the total removal of approximately 382 trees depending on removal costs and tree size. All trees that will be removed will be replaced with a tree of a different species as outlined in this application. The City will provide stump grinding services, tree inspections by a licensed tree inspector, mapping of removal of trees, and following up replanted tree health and maintenance. This City was awarded grant funds in the recent past for the removal and replacement of ash in boulevard areas. We believe we were efficient in the use of our grant dollars and wish to further this success. The citizens of New Ulm have been supportive of the City's efforts to control EAB by the removal of ash trees in boulevard areas and public spaces. The project will be overseen by the New Ulm City Council, Park and Recreation Commission and Tree Advisory Commission. Page Page 27ofof 5 34 Project Timeline (20 points; 3200-character limit) Describe the approximate project schedule showing intermediate steps and milestones for activities described in this application or required by the RFA. A high-scoring timeline will provide specific dates for all components of the project, be realistic, easy to comprehend, and will follow EAB best management practices. If selected for funding, the City is prepared to submit requests for bids to select contractors for tree removal in February 2026. Once a contractor is selected, we will be requesting that the contractor start working immediately with the City's Licensed Tree Inspector on prioritizing ash to be removed from boulevard areas and start removal after contract approval in early 2026. Tree removal will continue until grant funds are fully expended in pursuit of our removal goals. New Ulm is located in a "generally infested" area where removals can continue throughout the year. After the removal of each ash tree, those parts that can be chipped on-site will be done by the contractor and those parts too large to chip will be taken by the contractor to the City's compost site where it will be burned on-site within a 2-week time period. Following the removal of the tree, the City Street Department will grind the stump as time permits. Based on available time, the Street Department can typically grind up to 150-300 stumps annually but may be able to complete more if conditions allow. Any stumps that remain after the grant period ends will be removed by the City as time allows. Each growing season during the grant period the City will be working with a private contractor to plant new trees to replace the ash trees removed from boulevard and park areas. Replanted trees will be selected based on the 20-10-5 diversity guidelines and will be installed by a professional landscaper. The City will monitor the health of the replanted trees to help ensure survival based on the 3-year tree maintenance plan. All removal and replanting will take place within the grant period. Ash Tree Removal: April 2026 - April 2027 Replacement of Trees: April 2027 - May 2028 Project Budget Explanation (10 points; 2600-character limit) Provide additional remarks to clarify the budget request. Provide an explanation of how you are funding portions of your project that are not eligible with grant dollars. A successful budget will provide specific dollar amounts for anticipated use, be financially realistic, and cost effective. Budget attachment will be correctly calculated. Projects that plant more trees than they remove will score higher. The City is seeking $362,900 in grant funds to try and eliminate the spread of EAB in our community through the strategic removal of boulevard ash trees throughout the City. Based on our best estimates of $550 for the removal of an ash tree we hope to remove approximately 382 ash throughout the grant period. We estimate that it will cost $210,100 to remove 382 ash trees at $550 per tree removal. These estimates were derived from recent city projects, consultations with professional tree removal contractors, and previous estimates received from private contractors who perform tree removals on a regular basis. We estimate the cost of replanting 382 trees to be $152,800 with a cost approximately $400 per tree. This cost will include site preparation, planting, mulching, tree guards and maintenance for the first year the tree is planted by a private contractor. The trees to be replanted will be 1-2" caliper and bare root. The estimates for replanting the removed ash are based on recent city projects, discussions with professional landscape contractors, and previous estimates from private contractors who plant landscape trees. City staff has verified the remaining boulevard and park ash trees. It should be noted that private property owners may remove residential ash in boulevards in the duration between this application and being informed of the results of this application. Page Page 38ofof 5 34 Community Engagement and Impact (15 points; 2600-character limit) A high-ranking proposal will show planning and collaboration that clearly serves and includes residents within the Priority Area, and populations that define the Priority Area (low-income residents, persons with disabilities, less than high school education, limited English speaking, and low life expectancy). A high-scoring proposal will describe actionable items for these communities, how these communities will be engaged through the project, and how their input will be incorporated throughout the project. The City is approaching this project based on the need for ash tree removal and reducing the potential EAB population. The City is focused on the entire community since EAB has clearly become endemic. Previously the City was focused its removal efforts of ash specifically in Census Tract 9601.01, which is an area within the community where at least 40% of the people reported less income than 185% of the federal poverty level and removed 240 ash from boulevards in this area. There remains approximately 90 ash in this Census Tract, which we would remove if our application were successful. The cost of removal of a boulevard tree is often a cost that is not regularly factored in in a family's annual budget and costs can be high. The City believes by removing ash in the boulevard areas in this area of our community we will be providing two benefits: 1. We are helping to reduce the ash tree population in New Ulm and therefore helping slow the spread of EAB, 2. We would be providing a service for residents of our City who may need the financial assistance and 3. We intend to accelerate the replacement of dead/dying ash trees with a diversified species of over- story trees. New Ulm has a substantial number of people over the age of 65, making up approximately 20% of the population. There are also a fair number of US Veterans living in our community with 2021 estimate of 5% of the population. These two populations will benefit from our city-wide boulevard ash removal program. Staff will be in contact with all property owners who have boulevard ash located adjacent to their property through direct mailings and conversations with resident and indirectly through news articles in the New Ulm Journal and KNUJ Radio. It is our intent to help coordinate the effort to remove trees and replace trees throughout the City's boulevards and provide our knowledge on EAB in the community. Communication (10 points; 2600-character limit) Describe the methods you will use to conduct outreach to residents about this grant project. A high-scoring communication strategy will use multiple formats that have the potential to reach the public and will incorporate EAB-related messaging. The City is planning on an outreach campaign on the presence, spread and impact of EAB in our community through several different channels. We will reach out directly to property owners who have ash located in the boulevards adjacent to their property. In this mailing to property owners we will provide information on the removal process, treatment options they could consider outside of this grant, information on the varieties of trees planned for replacing the ash. In our parks we will provide signage explaining our removal process, information on why we are removing and replacing these trees as well as other EAB information. A short survey will be mailed to residents who will be having trees removed asking about the removal process and any preferences on species to be replanted. Outreach and education had already started on EAB when the City conducted its community-wide tree survey in 2010 and then through the creation of the EAB Preparedness Plan in 2018. In addition, the City plans on creating fliers that will have information on the identification of EAB, diagnosing tree symptoms of EAB, preparing for EAB, and safe ways to transport/dispose of potentially infested ash. These fliers will be available to all residents of New Ulm. In the area of our community where we are focusing our efforts, each resident will receive additional information regarding the grant program, tree removal and replacement process and further information on EAB. If grant funds are received, we will host a public forum on the grant funds received and the plan on using these funds in the community. The City has a Facebook page that will contain the same information referenced above. Lastly, City staff has been trained on how to deal with questions on EAB from the public and will be available to answer questions as they arise. Page Page 49ofof 5 34  Key Personnel (15 points; 2600-character limit) List all certifications and degrees for staff or contractors involved in the project. Describe the duties internal staff will conduct, and any work that will be contracted out, or the partnerships you will leverage to complete tasks. Include key personnel and their experience with similar tasks. If you expect to contract work out, describe requirements you will have for contractors. A high-scoring application will have key personnel corresponding to each component of the project and will showcase that they have the expertise to conduct the work proposed. The City Certified Tree Inspector has developed a plan for removal of ash, marking trees for removal, working with the licensed tree removal contractor and coordinating the replanting efforts and tracking plantings as they are completed. The City Street Department will grind stumps once the trees are removed and managing the compost site to ensure infested trees are disposed of properly and burned in a timely manner. Planner, John Knisley, will be responsible for coordinating contracts for tree removal, replanting, mapping of ash removed, ensuring the tree maintenance plan is followed and grant administration. The contractor responsible for tree removal will be required to chip branches and smaller limbs and take all remaining parts of the tree to the Compost Site. City staff will be working with a professional nursery on replanting of the removed trees. The contractor will be required to do site preparation, planting, provide mulch, trunk protection and maintenance for the first year. Years 2-3 after planting, the property owners on who's property is adjacent to the boulevard where the trees are planted will be required to maintain the health of the tree. City staff will work with private property owners to educate them on proper tree maintenance and care both through on-site visits and information provided to the property owner through the City. PAST GRANT PERFORMANCE This section will be weighted and scored separately from the project portion of your application. If your organization has been awarded a grant from the DNR Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) program, or you are unsure if your organization has been awarded an a grant, please reach out to ucf.dnr@state.mn.us to obtain your past Grant Closeout form, so that you may address it here in this section. There is no penalty for first-time applicants. If you have not had a grant with DNR UCF program and or the DNR UCF program does not have a Grant Closeout form on file, you may leave this section blank. Past Grant Performance (5 points; 2600-character limit) If you have received funding from the DNR Urban and Community Forestry program in the past, please describe your past performance. Include the outcomes achieved, any challenges you experienced, and how you addressed them. If applicable, explain any missed deliverables, budget issues, or delays, and describe what you have learned or changed in response. If applicable, describe how you plan to continue demonstrating strong grant management practices. This response will be evaluated as part of your overall past performance score and will be conducted in relation to your last grant closeout, as conducted by your grant administrator. The City of New Ulm has delivered numerous DNR Grants within our community. The City was very successful with the DNR Grants in 2019 and 2021. Those grants allowed us to get a great start on the removal of ash trees within our community. The City has successfully delivered DNR Trails Grant projects on the recreational trail within New Ulm. City staff is well educated on the requirements of the grant programming and is prepared once again to deliver a successful DNR Grant funded project for our community. The City is prepared to match the grant funding with In-Kind contributions with project administration and grinding of all stumps remaining from the ash tree removals. Page Page10 5 ofof 5 34  2025 ReLeaf Community Forestry Grants Attachment A. Budget Form Directions: Complete this form in detail. Common eligible expenses are listed below; add rows as necessary. Be specific about expenses, making sure requested funds are eligible for reimbursement. A successful budget will be detailed, financially realistic, and cost effective. No match is required. This form has formulas; double check that totals are accurate. Direct questions about the budget form to the DNR Urban and Community Forestry Team at ucf.dnr@state.mn.us. Local Unit of Government: Project Coordinator Hourly Rate/ Number Funds Expense Description Cash Match In-Kind Match Cost per Item Hours or Items Requested 1. Contractor costs (ex. labor, services, Removal of 294 Ash from boulevards and 88 Ash supplies, and equipment) from City Parks $550/tree 382 trees $210,100 Replanting of 382 trees (includes mulch, bark 2. Trees protection, stakes, watering) $400/tree 382 trees $ 152,800.00 3. Planting supplies (ex. water bags, grow tubes, bark protection, compost, etc.) 4. Site preparation 5. Equipment purchases less than $5,000 (no one tool can have a unit cost of $5,000 or more even if that cost is split across grant and match funds) 6. Staff or Consultant time Stump Grinding by City forces $425/hr 573 hours $243,525.00 Project Administration $100/hr 200 hours $20,000.00 7. Other: please describe Totals $ 362,900.00 $ - $ 263,525.00 Page 11 of 34  UCF Grant Priority Areas-New Ulm 15 way N gh Br Hi 14 14 oa e US Highway 14 14 at dw St ay ay 1 4 ghw St Hi US 14 New Ulm Municipal Airport New Ulm 15 15 US Hi gh S wa y Br oa 14 dw ay St U S H ig hw ay 14 Flandrau State 15 Park 9/8/2025 1:46,535 0 0.42 0.85 1.7 mi 0 0.5 1 2 km Page 12 of 34 Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community  Attachment B. 3-Year Tree Establishment Plan Template for Newly Planted Trees Organization/LUG: City of New Ulm Year and Season of Planting: Spring 2026, 2027, 2028 Project Coordinator: John Knisley Phone: 507-233-2121 x131 Email: johnk@newulmmn.gov # of Trees to be Planted: 382 Size (caliper for deciduous, height for conifers): 1"-2" Diameter Type of Stock to be Planted (Bare root, etc.): Bare Root Describe how the activities below will be completed. 1. Tree Establishment Personnel a. Describe who is responsible for maintaining new trees to ensure establishment. The contractor selected for planting all trees will be required to maintain the trees for a 1-year period. After 1 year the City will work with the property owners who's property the trees were planted on proper maintenance and care for newly planted trees. Staff will complete on-site visits annually to ensure tree survival. We will provide the property owners with tree care and maintenance materials when trees are planted. b. Volunteers, homeowners, or inexperienced staff that will provide maintenance should receive basic training and literature on proper maintenance techniques. Is training needed and how will you do it? Homeowners will be responsible for maintenance of boulevard trees beginning in year 2. City staff will provide property owners with information on proper care and maintenance of the newly planted trees. c. How will you inspect tree maintenance work periodically to make sure it is being done correctly? City staff will inspect all newly planted trees annually in the fall of the year for health and survival for 3- years. Any newly planted tree that is dead or dying will be replaced the following growing season as per the project specifications for the tree planting project. All newly planted trees will have a 1-year warranty. 2. Tree Watering Process Describe in detail how trees will be watered, the time period and frequency of watering. Trees should be watered weekly for the first 3 to 5 years when the ground is thawed unless it has rained 1 inch in a week. City staff will provide the property owner information on care and maintenance of their newly planted tree. The City has printed information on care and maintenance of the new tree that will be given to each property owner with a new tree. Page 13 of 34 3. Mulching Trees Will you mulch your trees and if so, how will you maintain mulch? Trees planted by the contractor will be installed with mulch. Beginning in year 2, the homeowner will be responsible for maintaining the mulch around the tree. The City of New Ulm owns and operates a ` compost site and residents can get mulch and compost from the site at no cost. 4. Staking and Tying Trees Explain if staking is necessary due to mowing, vandalism, or wind conditions, and describe plans for inspection and removal. Trees planted by the contractor will be staked when planted. The contractor will observe the trees and the status before removing the stakes from the planted tree. City staff will be in discussion with the contractor prior to removing tree stakes. 5. Checking Tree Health The grantee will check trees every 6 – 12 months to identify and address problems. Describe inspection process and follow-up. City of New Ulm staff will inspect trees annually in the late summer/fall and spring of the following year to identify any health or disease issues. Any dead or dying trees noted will be replaced by the contractor if the tree is within the warranty period. 6. Tree Protection Young trees in busy urban areas may be easily damaged by human activity, animals, and equipment. Describe how planted trees will be protected. Trees planted by the contractor will be required to have trunk protection installed at the time of tree planting. 7. Pruning Newly planted trees should need little pruning, if they were properly cared for in the nursery. In the first year after planting, remove only dead or broken branches. In later years, weakly attached limbs can be removed, and corrective pruning can be done if needed. Describe your pruning maintenance cycle. City staff will be performing tree pruning once the contractor's warranty period expired. The City of New Ulm Public Works Department is trained and experienced in tree pruning and performs tree pruning annually. 8. Tree Warranty Tree planting should include a warranty from the nursery for replacement (due to poor condition or mortality). The grantee should be prepared to fully replace all trees that are in poor condition or die prior to inspection at the end of the project grant agreement, unless loss was due to natural disaster. Describe your tree warranty or how trees will be replaced. The tree planting project documents will require a 1-year warranty for each newly planted tree. Trees needing replacement during the warranty period will be replaced per the project contract documents. Page 14 of 34 Tree Species Selection and Stock Type - 2025 City of New Ulm The City will follow its boulevard tree planting policy to replace all trees removed from the boulevard. We are in the process of developing a final list of replacement trees but plan on having 10 or more species to be selected from for replacement. The replacement trees will not include maple or ash species. Trees being replanted will be either bare root or potted trees (container size #15). The diameter of the trees used for replacement will range from 1-2”. Tree Descriptions: Number of Trees: Ginko Tree – fruitless variety (male only) 58 Hackberry 59 Honey Locust (seedless variety) 58 Princeton Elm 59 Kentucky Coffee Tree (seedless variety) 59 Pin Oak 59 Bitternut Hickory – City Property or Park Areas 10 Black Tupelo – City Property or Park Areas 10 Hop Hornbeam – City Property or Park Areas 10 TOTAL TREES 382 Page 15 of 34 Page 16 of 34  Emerald Ash Borer Preparedness Plan for the City of New Ulm, MN Adopted by City Council on August 7, 2018 Prepared by: Shane Omersa, 2017-18 MN GreenCorps member and New Ulm Tree Advisory Commission Page 17 of 34  Table of Contents 1. Purpose 2. Emerald Ash Borer Information 2.1 History of EAB in North America and Minnesota 2.2 Biology and Lifecycle 2.3 Infestation Timeline and Response 3. Preparedness Plan for New Ulm, MN 3.1 Objective and Current Conditions 3.2 Preemptive Action 3.2.1 Restricting Ash Population Growth 3.2.2 Removing Trees in Poor or Hazardous Condition 3.2.3 Sustaining the Remaining Population 3.3 EAB Management 3.3.1 EAB Discovery 3.3.2 Slowing Ash Mortality 3.3.3 SLAM in New Ulm 4. References Appendix 1 – EAB Identification and Ash Symptoms Appendix 2 – Homeowner Insecticide Information Appendix 3 – Quarantine Information 1 Page 18 of 34 1. Purpose The central purpose of this document is to describe the actions that may be taken by the municipal government and citizens of New Ulm, MN in preparing for and responding to an infestation of the emerald ash borer (EAB). Information will be provided on the history of EAB in North America and the biology of the pest, as well as a brief discussion on the change in management approach since its initial entry into North America. The approach and specific actions taken by a community in managing an infestation depends partly on how responsibility for the community’s trees is divided between the local government and citizens. Goals and expectations of outcomes also play important roles. These factors and their implications as they apply to New Ulm will be discussed. An integrative approach centered on pest suppression is promoted as a way to mitigate the impact of EAB, while preserving the benefits that the community’s ash tree population provides. 2. Emerald Ash Borer Information 2.1 History of EAB in North America and Minnesota Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is a phloem-feeding pest native to eastern Asia and Russia. First discovered in North America in 2002 in the area of Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, it was suspected to have been contained in solid-wood packaging material originating from Asia9. Its primary hosts are species of the Fraxinus (Ash) genus. In its natural range it is a minor pest, having coevolved with native ash species, but with North American ash lacking strong defenses, as well as the lack of effective competition or predators in North America, the population has expanded unimpeded with devastating consequences for the ash trees of the eastern US and Canada18. Today, EAB has spread to 31 eastern US mainland states and has caused the loss of millions of ash trees2. It was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009 near the state fairgrounds in St. Paul. Since then, the pest has grown in the metro area, but has also been found as north as Duluth, and in 2017, southwest in Martin County near the city of Welcome13. 2.2 EAB Biology and Lifecycle The emerald ash borer is a thin bright, metallic, emerald green colored beetle about half an inch in length16. It can be distinguished from other species of the Agrilus genera by the coppery-red color of the upper side of its abdomen underneath the wings. The EAB lifecycle lasts only 1-2 years, with higher population density and lower vigor of ash trees associated with a shorter lifecycle18, 26. Larva emerge from their eggs after 7-10 days, then bore through the bark and move into the cambium layer where they feed on the phloem (the living tissue that transports 2 Page 19 of 34  nutrients through the tree) from late spring to early autumn. Larva overwinters within its host, developing into its pupal stage, and exit the tree in late spring to finish its maturation phase feeding on ash tree foliage. This phase lasts about 3 weeks, before mating begins. Female beetles can deposit between 1-23 eggs at once and 60-90 eggs in a lifetime. The adult stage generally lasts about 28 days. Adult beetles do little harm to ash trees, besides feeding on foliage. However, phloem feeding by larva disrupts the capability of an ash tree to transport nutrients. In large enough numbers, larva can effectively girdle their host, leading to quick decline and death in as little as 1-3 years18. Signs and symptoms of EAB larval presence include: canopy thinning, excessive sprouting, bark splitting, and woodpecker damage29. Scaffold branch cracks and branches breaking near the branch collar are two early signs of pest presence17. Two strong indications are S- shaped galleries under the bark made by larval Figure 1. EAB lifecycle, from Villari, C., Herms, D.A., Whitehill, J.G.A., Cipollini, D., Bonello, P. 2016. Progress feeding, and D-shaped holes made by immature adults and gaps in understanding mechanisms of ash tree upon exiting the tree in the spring. Because EAB tends resistance to emerald ash borer, a model for wood- boring insects that kill angiosperms. New Phytologist to move down a tree from the top of the crown, these 209: 63-79. indicators may not be easily observed until the pest has thoroughly spread throughout the tree. Refer to Appendix 1 for more information about identifying signs and symptoms of EAB presence in ash trees. 2.3 Infestation Timeline and Response Once introduced into a new area, EAB growth proceeds slowly, but at a certain point population growth dramatically increases10, 20. Ash tree mortality, represented in the graph below (Fig 1), closely follows this trend. The growth in the EAB population will eventually slow and reach a peak, declining thereafter. Due to the slow progression of an infestation at the outset, and the difficulty in observing ash symptoms at the beginning stage, it may take a number of years after the introduction of the pest to notice its arrival. The impact of EAB will be greatest between the cusp and crest of the infestation at which point the ash population will presumably be zero. Approaches to managing a growing infestation has shifted over time from containment and eradication to suppression and impact mitigation. Early attempts at restricting EAB population growth in Windsor, Ontario and southeast Michigan focused on removing the food source around the known infestation area9. The remaining food source would then be depleted, and the pest population could be driven down towards extinction. However, it was found that the pest had unknowingly spread to other nearby areas prior to the start of eradication efforts. In newly 3 Page 20 of 34  colonized areas, expansion may proceed at less than 0.6 miles per year6. Although, laboratory flight tests have determined that a female adult could potentially fly 12 miles to deposit eggs22, 24 . With increased knowledge of EAB and trends involving its expansion to new sites, using tactics to suppress pest pressure and mitigate damage has become the preferred approach to management. Insecticides and planned removals are common tactics, but research is also being conducted on ash resistance28 and the use of stingless parasitic wasps that are natural predators of EAB.25 Graph 1. Percent mortality of ash trees from EAB over the course of an infestation, graph provided by Jim Zwack, General Manager of the Davey Institute, based on data from Dr. Dan Herms while employed at Ohio State University. 3. Preparedness Plan for New Ulm, MN 3.1 Objective and Current Conditions This preparedness plan has been developed with the core assumption that unless preparatory action is taken, every ash tree in the area of an EAB infestation will be lost through the course of the infestation. Researchers surveying locations of advanced infestation have found “lingering” living ash trees that have remained standing after all other ash have been lost, indicating these individuals may hold some form of resistance6, 7. However, the number of survivors is very few. It is presently unclear if there is a primary factor shared between these individuals that accounts for their tolerance, or if they were simply passed over by the main wave and have yet to be taken5, 6. Research is ongoing to determine what insights and management strategies can be gained from these instances. For management purposes, it is reasonable to assume that the outcome of an infestation will be nearly 100% mortality of ash trees due to EAB. 4 Page 21 of 34  How responsibility for managing a city’s community forest is divided between the city government and private property owners, plays an important role in determining the options available for action before and after the pest has arrived. For New Ulm, Sections 6.02, 8.60, & 8.61 of the City Code are relevant sections that address responsibility for maintenance and pest management for public and private trees. The City of New Ulm Boulevard, Tree & Shrub Policy contains further details on boulevard trees. Private land owners are responsible for trees found on their property and in the boulevard (space between the curb and property line, including the sidewalk) adjacent to the property. Trees found on municipally-owned land (parks, facilities, etc.) are the responsibility of the municipal government. Responsibility is further divided between government departments based on department ownership of particular sections of land. New Ulm does not currently have a forestry department or city forester. The division in responsibility outlined above is the basis for the pre- and post- EAB discovery actions presented in this plan, with the predominant focus being on actions to be taken by the municipal government in relation to the management of both private and public ash trees. While the local government can take a direct approach in managing ash trees that city departments are responsible for, involvement with boulevard and private trees will necessarily be indirect through the use of incentive programs, public education, and in some cases, establishing standards of practice. The following will consist of two sections: one focusing on preemptive measures that may be taken prior to an EAB finding within the city limits; and the other will be a discussion on how a set of integrated pest suppression tactics may be used to manage the ash population on municipally-owned property throughout the city. 3.2 Preemptive Measures As time passes, management options will become fewer until removal of all ash trees is the only option. The impact of EAB in the latter portion of a growing infestation can cause significant disruptions in the normal scheme of city operations, requiring increasing amounts of time, money, and manpower that could be used for other purposes. To reduce this impact, preemptive measures should be taken in managing the current population to prepare it for an eminent infestation. These include restricting further additions to the existing ash population, removing trees that are in poor condition or potentially hazardous and applying best management practices to sustain the condition of the remaining population. 3.2.1 Restricting ash population growth Future management of EAB will depend, in part, on the expectations of the spread and impact of the pest. Predictions on the spread of an infestation and impact estimates will be made more 5 Page 22 of 34 accurate through restricting the growth in the ash tree population. Under a 100% ash mortality scenario, continued planting of ash trees will contribute to the overall cost of an infestation. Loss of ash trees in the city will also affect the structure and composition of the urban forest canopy. According to the 2010 MN DNR Community Tree Survey, ash trees account for 21.5% of the trees in New Ulm, the 2nd most abundant genera in the city (maples are the most abundant with 29.3% and spruce are the 3rd most abundant with 9.8%). It has been suggested that communities follow a 30-20-10 rule for structuring their urban forest composition21. The rule states that no more than 30% of the composition be made up for trees in one family, no more than 20% of the same genus, and 10% of the same species. This serves a number of purposes, such as reducing the level of impact on the urban canopy from the loss of any particular species of tree. By restricting the growth of the ash population and promoting a diversity of plantings, the city can retain more of the urban tree canopy, as well as preserve the value of spending put into purchasing and maintaining new plantings. The city government has already taken a number of actions towards achieving this measure. No new ash trees are being planted on municipally-owned land, and attention is given to applying the 30-20-10 rule in certain projects. Ash trees are not included in the list of recommended species found in the City of New Ulm Boulevard, Tree & Shrub Policy. To encourage more diverse plantings in boulevards and private property, a few reimbursement programs have been established to help cover part of the cost of approved plantings. The Boulevard Tree Planting Reimbursement Program will reimburse property owners for ¾ of the purchase price up to $125 for boulevard tree plantings of species listed in the Boulevard, Tree & Shrub Policy. The Public Utilities Commission offers the Releaf Tree Reimbursement Program for planting shade and windbreaks on private property trees (2/3 of the purchase price of a tree up to $75), and the Tree Removal and Replacement Program that encourages the removal of large trees under overhead power lines, which will cover part of the purchase price for a tree (2/3 of the price up to $100) and the full cost of removal (excluding stump removal). There are further indirect actions that may be taken by the city government to restrict ash population growth. Although an absolute prohibition of the planting of ash trees is not recommended, one option is to place the three most popular ash species (green, white, and black) on the list of prohibited species for landscaping plans found in City Code under Section 9.21 Subd. 6. Design criteria: minimum requirements. Other indirect actions can focus on public education. Such actions may include putting sources for information on EAB and treatment options on the city website, and having regular, seasonal additions in city department newsletters, local news sources, and mailings. 6 Page 23 of 34 3.2.2 Removing trees in poor condition or hazardous Removing trees in declining condition or those that could become hazardous is a proper maintenance practice not only for public safety reasons, but doing so prior to an EAB infestation will also serve to lower the overall costs of an infestation and reduce the costs incurred during the peak stage when the pest impact is most severe. The majority of the ash population can be expected to succumb to the pest in the few years before the peak. This will create an extremely dangerous situation that could require a great amount of money and resources to handle in a short span of time. Thinning the number of trees to leave those in good condition will mitigate the peak impact, thus preventing the most extreme outcome. To pursue this measure, city departments should utilize the tree inventory of municipally-owned lands to identify problem ash trees and develop a schedule for removal. Replacing these trees should also be considered in order to begin reforming the lost canopy. For private property, land owners should inspect their ash trees for signs of damage or decay to determine if any further action may be necessary. Contact the city Engineering Department to request assistance in inspecting a tree, or a local tree care service (a list of licensed tree care services is available on the city website, or in paper form in the Engineering Department office). A tree removal permit will need to be submitted to the Engineering Department prior to the removal. As noted previously, a number of reimbursement programs are offered through city departments for new plantings and replacements. For both public and private land, the 30-20-10 rule should be applied to ensure diversity, as well as using the “right tree, right place” principle for proper placement in the landscape. While planning for a tree planting, there are also spacing and clearance requirements set in the City Code and Boulevard, Tree & Shrub policy that must be included in considerations. 3.2.3 Sustaining the remaining population After further ash population growth has been restricted and problem trees have been removed, the remaining population will consist of those in relatively good condition that contribute to the safety and vibrancy of the city. Trees provide a range of beneficial services from the practical to the aesthetic, such as mitigating storm impacts and adding to the attractiveness of green and gray spaces12. A single green ash tree with a 14 inch diameter at breast height (DBH) in a single- family residential area will provide $135 in annual benefits15, with this value increasing as the tree continues to grow. The condition of the remainder should be sustained through applying current best management practices so they may continue to provide these valuable services. The particular tree management activities performed by city departments in New Ulm vary by department. It is here suggested that city departments review practices applied in tree activities 7 Page 24 of 34  to ensure that up-to-date best management practices are followed for the respective activities that are performed, adopting new practices when necessary. Another area of review could be for landscaping and construction requirements. One example would be setting requirements for construction projects that prevent damage or disturbances within the protected root zone (PRZ) of a tree19. The PRZ includes the roots and soil extending out to a distance beyond the edge of the tree crown. Roots in the area underneath the crown are crucial to tree survival and should be protected to ensure the sustained condition of a tree. Such requirements can apply to tree selection, planting, and maintenance. For private property, landowners should refer to the Boulevard, Tree & Shrub Policy for guidance on basic best practices for small or young trees. Large mature trees may require assistance from a tree service professional. Landowners should contact the Engineering Department regarding questions on best management practices. Best practices are important not only for preserving healthy ash trees, but all trees in the urban forest. 3.3 EAB Management The aim of EAB management in this plan is two-fold: first, to reduce the overall cost and flatten the peak infestation cost, stretching it over a longer time span to prevent the worst impact of a reactionary approach; second, to preserve quality ash trees in order to retain their net benefits and promote public safety. The SLAM (SLow Ash Mortality) management approach will be used as a model for this plan. SLAM is an integrated approach utilizing treatment and strategic removals to slow the growth and spread of EAB, while reducing the onset and progression of ash mortality11. This approach partly depends on the use of insecticides as treatment for infected ash trees. There are a number of insecticides that are available that are effective in preventing23 and stopping the progression of decline in an ash tree with less than 50% canopy loss3, 4. Studies investigating the effectiveness and feasibility of treatment as a management option have found that treatment can be a more favorable option than removing trees as they succumb or preemptively removing all existing ash trees10, 20, 27. Although treatment can become an increasingly expensive option if applied to an entire ash population, when used within an integrated approach to mitigating impacts and preserving a certain level of net benefits, treatment can extend the time necessary for taking action and lead to greater success in achieving these goals. Refer to the materials in Appendix 2 for more information on insecticides. 3.3.1 EAB Discovery Arrival of EAB in New Ulm can occur through either natural migration or human transportation from another infested area. By naturally migrating, it could take many years for EAB to reach 8 Page 25 of 34 New Ulm from its nearest known location in Martin County. However, human movement of ash wood containing EAB larva, or transportation of the adult beetle, could significantly shorten this time span. Assuming the former circumstance, a “triggering event” should be established for when increased action will be taken on an invasion of the pest. This event could be the migration of EAB to within a certain distance from the city4, or its arrival in a nearby county. Once the triggering event has occurred, citizens should be notified of the presence of EAB and educated on topics regarding the pest. Such topics should include how to identify the pest in its different life stages and symptoms of ash decline associated with it; how to respond and who to contact if EAB presence is suspected; and options for managing their ash trees. Possible modes of communication include: • Distributing educational flyers • Making announcements in newsletters and submitting articles to news sources • Holding informational public meetings • It is also advisable for local government departments to begin regularly inspecting ash trees, using the public tree inventory to manage inspection efforts. If an ash tree is suspected of harboring the pest, the first point of contact should be the Engineering Department. A certified tree inspector will inspect the tree in question for indicators of EAB presence. If there is reasonable suspicion or evidence of EAB, the inspector will contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) for confirmation. Being that Brown County does not currently have any confirmed areas of EAB presence, once a confirmation is made, the county will be put under quarantine by the state government. Quarantine prohibits the movement of all wood articles (hardwood firewood, tree waste, chips and mulch, logs and lumber) between EAB infested and non-infested counties. Movement of wood articles outside of the quarantine area will be allowed only for those who have signed a compliance agreement affirming the proper handling and disposal of ash tree refuse. The MDA will also conduct a delimiting survey to determine the location and extent of the pest presence. After these actions have been completed, the city will most likely be responsible for implementing management within its corporate boundaries. Refer to Appendix 3for quarantine information. 3.3.2 Slowing Ash Mortality The SLAM approach is a potential management option that focuses on pest suppression through the combination of activities to reduce pest numbers and growth of the population at different life stages. Activities include: use of systemic insecticides to kill EAB adults and larvae; prompt removal of infested ash trees before EAB adults can emerge; attracting or concentrating EAB in girdled trees that are subsequently destroyed before the next 9 Page 26 of 34 generation of adults can emerge; and harvesting and utilizing wood from ash trees which reduces the amount of phloem available for EAB development11. Taking this approach will not eradicate EAB, nor will it eliminate the possibility of ash mortality. However, engaging in activities that decrease the density and growth of EAB will slow the rate of ash mortality. Pursuing a few or all of the following components of SLAM will lead to greater success in achieving this outcome. There are six components to the approach: 1. EAB survey – When a discovery is first made, surveys will be required to determine the extent of the infestation and estimate the density of the EAB population. A delimiting survey provides a rapid assessment of the current situation; however, it is limited in accuracy by its heavy use of visual assessments. To gain a more complete perspective of the spatial extent of the infestation, a systematic EAB survey should afterwards be conducted over the entire area. In both cases, the use of destructive sampling to better confirm EAB presence will improve the accuracy of the surveys. 2. Ash inventory – An ash tree inventory provides useful information on the characteristics of the existing ash population. Utilized in conjunction with EAB density surveys, an inventory can assist in developing plans for treatment and other pest suppression tactics. The cost of methods for collecting sufficient data should be balanced with those associated with suppression activities. 3. Suppression – Pest suppression can take direct and indirect forms. Both strive to reduce current and future pest growth, as well as expansion. Direct action controls EAB of different life stages through the destruction of trees containing larva or use of insecticides to kill adults. Indirect action reduces the amount of phloem available for larva by harvesting and removing ash trees. Stressed ash trees tend to attract greater pest numbers than healthy trees. When girdled, ash trees will attract mated females that will deposit their eggs on the stressed trees. Destroying these trees will directly draw down the EAB population. Applying an insecticide prior to girdling will create lethal trap trees, the removal of which will also directly eliminate foliage-feeding adults and phloem-feeding EAB larva. The impact of using girdled trees in reducing EAB density can be enhanced by using this tactic with clusters of ash trees. Predation of overwintering larva by woodpeckers can also contribute to EAB suppression and should be promoted. 4. Regulatory efforts – The establishing of quarantines on the movement of wood articles is an important tactic for restricting the spread of EAB to new sites. Utilization of ash wood should be encouraged within the quarantine area. 5. Public Outreach – Communicating with residents and landowners about EAB and SLAM is important for garnering support. Success in implementation requires that the community have knowledge of the goals, methods, and results of the SLAM project. 10 Page 27 of 34  Outreach should complement regulatory efforts to prevent the assisted spread of EAB. Communication must also occur between City departments to insure that information is accurate and consistent. 6. Evaluation – Attention should be given to evaluating the spread and growth of EAB through the progression of an infestation to determine if suppression efforts are successful and to inform future courses of action. Care should be given to making sure that goals and objectives are being met. The effectiveness of each of these components will depend on the timeliness of their execution. The later in the infestation action is taken, the less of an impact efforts will be in reducing pest population numbers and limiting distribution. Especially with elements of the suppression component, after a certain point, pest numbers can be so great that density reduction does little to slow the growth. In the case of phloem reduction, excessive use of the practice could lead increased pest concentration, which may result in quicker ash mortality, as well as encouraging the spread to other areas5, 10. 3.3.3 SLAM in New Ulm The tactics discussed within the six SLAM components should be used to the extent applicable, and with respect to the division of responsibility laid out in the city code for the city’s trees. It is assumed that this division will remain unchanged through the span of an infestation. As discussed previously, the local government should take direct action in managing trees on municipally-owned land by using treatment to preserve ash and suppress pest pressure, while taking indirect action to assist private landowners in managing private and boulevard ash trees through public outreach and maintaining programs to reduce the cost of removals and replacement. Management can be understood to take place in two phases: an aggressive phase, and a maintenance phase, corresponding to the degree of action required as the city-wide infestation progresses. The aggressive phase Graph 2. Management phases of an EAB infestation, from Sadof, C.S., Hughes, G.P., Witte, A.R., Peterson, D.J., Ginzel, M.D. 2017. encompasses the time from initial detection to Tools for Staging and Managing Emerald Ash Borer in the Urban the peak EAB growth stage (approximately 13 Forest. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 43(1): 15-26. years). During this phase, increasingly aggressive action is necessary to effectively respond to EAB population growth and subsequent ash mortality. Once the peak growth stage has passed, the maintenance phase begins (year 13 – 11 Page 28 of 34 onward). At this point, EAB numbers will begin to fall substantially due to the loss of its food source and migration out of the city. Management may then be relaxed, increasing again if the EAB population rebounds. Regular monitoring and surveying will be necessary to track the progression through these two phases, and evaluate the effectiveness of management efforts. City-Owned Land During the aggressive management phase, a primary objective should be the preservation and protection of ash trees of high and medium quality, and those of particular significance. High and medium quality trees are those in use-areas with little or no structural damage and showing proper crown form. The public tree inventory can be used to identify these individuals. Further selection may be made based on size. One analysis on the cost of EAB in US communities from 2009-2019 argues that the present value of tree benefits net management cost is optimal for ash trees greater than 12in DBH8. Therefore, treatment during an EAB infestation may be best applied when used on high and medium quality ash trees greater than or equal to 12in DBH. Treatment will be most effective when applied mid-to late spring or in mid-fall 4, 14. Applying insecticides during these time periods will kill newly-emerging adult beetles in the spring as they feed on ash leaves, and larva as they feed on the wood in the fall. Insecticides should not be used during the winter while trees are dormant14. There are environmental and health risks to using different application methods. Anyone using insecticides should be knowledgeable of the proper use of the particular chemical being applied, as well as the risks involved. Decision- makers should carefully consider which insecticides will be used as a part of pest suppression efforts for boulevards and city-owned land. Within a SLAM approach, preemptive or reactive removals are best performed during the months between fall and early spring; after one adult generation has completed its lifecycle, but before the next have emerged the following spring. Low quality trees and/or trees under 12in DBH may be removed as they succumb or preemptively, but could be used under a SLAM approach as trap trees for detection or for reducing pest pressure. Trees that do succumb to the pest should be removed in a timely manner to prevent harm to people or damage to property. Unless utilized in some other way, removed trees should be chipped on site, especially nearing the peak infestation period, to lower the risk of spreading EAB and reduce pressure on disposal sites. In order to begin filling in the lost urban forest canopy, replacing removed trees should be considered, guided by the 30-20-10 rule in species selection. To reduce the costs of replanting, bare-root trees can be purchased and placed in the City gravel bed for later planting. Bare root trees cost a fraction of the price of containerized or balled-in-burlap trees and are easier to 12 Page 29 of 34 transport1. Holding the trees in a gravel bed allows time for tree root systems to develop prior to planting, as well as allowing for greater flexibility in planning when planting will occur. Trees in woodlands and unmanaged areas may be left untreated, handing over disposal to natural processes. However, trees near use areas, such as parks, should be monitored to ensure that no damage or harm occurs. If so desired, these trees could be used to create clusters of trap trees that will serve as EAB population sinks to reduce pest pressure to nearby residential and business areas. Allowing dead trees to remain in woodlands and unmanaged areas will provide inputs for decomposition processes, as well as important habitat for wildlife. The spaces left over will be repopulated by other nearby species of vegetation. Once the peak infestation period has passed, management of the remaining ash trees may be relaxed. Monitoring can be performed less regularly and treatment used only when the EAB population rebounds. Research using EAB population models has determined that following a treatment regimen that randomly treats 20% of an ash population with a 2-year application trunk injection can be sufficient to constrain EAB growth10. Such a regimen should be adopted through the years under the management phase. As of April 2018, data has been collected for 1,228 ash trees on city-owned land and boulevards (360 on city-owned land, and 868 in the boulevards). It is likely very that there are more in the boulevards yet to be inventoried, as well as on private property. A survey is currently underway to produce an estimate of the number and species composition of boulevard trees in the city. Once this is completed, the full inventory will continue. Not all information relevant to the management of ash trees on municipally-owned land is currently available. This preparedness plan will need to be updated as more information is obtained. Private Land and Boulevards As stated in Section 4.1, private land owners are responsible for the trees on their land and those in the boulevard adjacent to them. Landowners should be aware of the available management options (removal, replacement, and treatment) and consider what course of action will be taken before the pest has arrived. They should know how to identify EAB and be able to recognize the symptoms of ash decline associated with the progression of pest feeding. They should also know how to respond to an EAB finding and who to contact for assistance. New Ulm’s city government will bear some responsibility for the response to EAB on private lands and boulevards. Section 8.61 of the City Code deals with the prevention and control of shade tree pests, including EAB. This section identifies as a public nuisance “any living or standing ash tree or part thereof infested to any degree with emerald ash borer.” In applying this section to EAB, the discovery of conditions indicating EAB presence in an ash tree will prompt a notice to be sent to the person in control of the property where the affected ash tree is found 13 Page 30 of 34 within 5 days of the discovery. The recipient of the notice will then have 20 days to apply the actions stated on the notice. As part of a SLAM approach, routine inspections assisted by the city tree inventory will allow for attention to be given to areas of high potential for increased pest pressure and risk of damage or harm due to ash tree failure. Further actions taken in response to positive findings of EAB presence on private property and boulevards would follow those detailed in Section 8.61. Throughout the course of an infestation, the city government should take action to educate citizens on these topics. Once EAB has been confirmed in New Ulm, public meetings should be held, and regular updates should be disseminated through multiple forms of communication. Other important items that citizens should be made aware of are the Boulevard, Tree & Shrub Policy, the available reimbursement programs, and the list of licensed tree services in the New Ulm area. If possible, treatment in areas with a large proportion of ash trees should be coordinated with treatment of trees on municipally-owned land to have a greater effect on reducing EAB density. 14 Page 31 of 34  References 1. Busiahn, J., Peterson, S., 2013. All You Need to Know About Community Gravel Beds. University of Minnesota, Department of Forest Resources. Retrieved from: http://www.mntreesource.com/additional- resources.html. 2. Emerald Ash Borer Information Website. 2018. Retrieved from: http://emeraldashborer.info/. 3. Flower, C.E., Dalton, J.E., Knight, K.S., Brikha, M., Gonzalez-Meler, M.A. 2015. To treat or not to treat: Diminishing effectiveness of emamectin benzoate tree injections in ash trees heavily infested by emerald ash borer. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 14: 790-795. 4. Herms, D.A., McCullough, D.G., Smitley, D.R., Clifford, C.S., Cranshaw, W. 2014. Insecticide options for protecting ash trees from emerald ash borer. North Central IPM Center Bulletin. 2nd Edition. 16 pp. 5. Knight, K.S., Brown, J.P., Long, R.P. 2013. Factors affecting the survival of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees infested by emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Biological Invasions 15: 371-383. 6. Knight, K.S., Herms, D., Plumb, R., Sawyer, E., Spalink, D., Pisarczyk, E., Wiggin, B., Kappler, R., Ziegler, E., Menard, K. 2012. Dynamics of surviving ash (Fraxinus spp.) populations in areas long infested by emerald ash borer (Argilus planipennis). In: Sniezko, Richard A.; Yanchuk, Alvin D.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M.; Alexander, Janice M.; Frankel, Susan J., tech. coords. 2012. Proceedings of the fourth international workshop on the genetics of host-parasite interactions in forestry: Disease and insect resistance in forest trees. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-240. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. pp. 143-152. 7. Koch, J.L., Mason, M.E., Carey, D.W., Knight, K., Poland, T., Herms, D.A. 2010. Survey for Tolerance to Emerald Ash Borer within North American Ash Species. In: Michler, Charles H.; Ginzel, Matthew D., eds. 2010. Proceedings of symposium on ash in North America; 2010 March 9-11; West Lafayette, IN. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-72. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 60. 8. Kovacs, K.F., Haight, R.G., McCullough, D.G., Mercader, R.J., Siegert, N.W., Liebhold, A.M. 2010. Cost of potential emerald ash borer damage in US communities, 2009–2019. Ecological Economics 69: 569–578. 9. McCullough, D.G., Herms, D.A. 2014. Emerald Ash Borer Invasion of North America: History Biology, Ecology, Impacts, and Management. Annual Review of Entomology 59: 13-30. 10. McCullough, D.G., R.J. Mercader. 2012. Evaluation of potential strategies to slow ash mortality (SLAM) caused by emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis): SLAM in an urban forest. International Journal of Pest Management 58:9–23. 11. McCullough, D.G., Katovich, S., March 2010. SLAM – Steps in Implementing a Strategy to Slow Ash Mortality.Available from: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mda/EAB_SLAM_general_march_20101_325349_7.pdf. 12. McPherson, E.G., Simpson, J.R., Paula, P.J., Gardner, S.L., Vargas, K.E., Maco, S.E., Qingfu, X. 2006. Midwest Community Tree Guide: Benefits, Costs, and Strategic Planting. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report PSW-GTR-200. 13. MN Department of Agriculture. 2017. “Emerald Ash Borer Discovered in Martin County: MDA places the county under quarantine”. [News release]. Retrieved from: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/releases/2017/nr20170823eabmartin.aspx. 15 Page 32 of 34 14. MN Department of Agriculture. 2015. Homeowner’s Guide to Insecticide Selection, Use, and Environmental Protection. [cited 2018 Apr]. Available from: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/~/media/Files/plants/eab/eabtreatmentguide2.pdf. 15. National Tree Benefits Calculator. 2018. http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator. 16. Parsons, G.L. 2008. Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): A guide to identification and comparison to similar species. Department of Entomology, Michigan State University. 17. Persad, A.B., Tobin, P.C., 2015. Evaluation of Ash Tree Symptoms Associated with Emerald Ash Borer Infestations in Urban Forests. 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Michigan State University Extension. 16 Page 33 of 34  BIG TREE CONTEST HISTORY Winning Tree Dimensions Year Species (inches) 1st 2009 Ash 156 2nd 2010 Oak 3rd 2011 Maple 194 4th 2012 Hackberry 129 5th 2013 Elm 120.6 6th 2014 Linden 102 7th 2015 Cottonwood 248 8th 2016 Walnut (Black) 103 9th 2017 Locust 151 10th 2018 Willow 144 11th 2019 Catalpa 174 12th 2020 Ohio Buckeye 79.5 13th 2021 Kentucky Coffee 110 14th 2022 Hickory 82 15th 2023 River Birch 61 16th 2024 Elm 167.2 17th 2025 Ginkgo 52.5 Page 34 of 34