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Emerald Ash Borer

MEMBER ALERT: On November 15, 2022, the MN Department of Agriculture (MDA) released a statement declaring a State Emergency Quarantine for Isanti county. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was detected in Stanford township, which is located northwest of St. Francis. Because this is the first time EAB has been identified in Isanti County, the MDA is enacting an emergency quarantine of the southern portion of Isanti county south of State Highway 95, which limits the movement of firewood and ash material out of the area.

Please note: In 2014 ECE’s forestry team developed an EAB Management and Response Plan. Since then, the co-op has taken a proactive approach by identifying non-infested ash trees throughout ECE’s service territory. We pursue the removal of these trees before they become infested and begin to deteriorate and cause power outages.This is done on a volunteer basis (before infested) with property owners and has been a great opportunity to help inform the public of this exotic, invasive insect that kills all species of ash trees.

What is Emerald Ash Borer and how does it kill ash trees?
The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive wood-boring beetle. It has devastated ash populations wherever it has become established. EAB has been found in several counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, including Chisago, Isanti, and Douglas. EAB kills ash trees when the larvae under the bark become so extensive they prevent the flow of nutrients and water throughout the tree. This “girdling” starves all parts of the tree, killing it from the top down.

Minnesota quarantine map
Wisconsin quarantine map

Why should I care about EAB?
All species of ash trees are susceptible to EAB, and millions of ash trees have been killed in infested areas already. Minnesota has one of the largest populations of ash in the U.S. with an estimated 900 million trees growing in urban and natural forests. The potential economic and environmental impacts of losing these trees are substantial. Where ash occur in home landscapes, the cost to remove and replace trees can reach into the thousands of dollars.  

What impact could EAB have on the co-op’s system?                
EAB will eventually kill ash trees throughout our service territory. Trees that are infested by EAB become very brittle and quickly break near ground level, creating a serious potential for widespread outages and damage to property. Arborists cannot climb infested trees because of the danger of failure, making removal difficult and expensive.   

What steps is ECE taking to minimize the impact of EAB?
ECE has developed an EAB Management and Response Plan. The plan includes removing healthy ash trees before they become infested. We are learning from other utilities that it is critical to be proactive. EAB populations quickly expand, making a reactive approach unmanageable and less effective. ECE has already removed many healthy ash trees within quarantined counties near known infestation areas. We will also be strategically targeting ash tree removal in other areas of high ash density throughout the service territory. Trees are marked by one of our certified arborists, and the property owner is notified of the plan. A contractor will later remove the trees or take the tops out to prevent the outage risk. This process will take several years to complete.

Is there anything ECE members can do to identify EAB and prevent it from spreading?

Since EAB kills by girdling the trunk in the larval stage, damage is not visible during the first year of infestation. Members should be on the lookout for woodpecker activity. The birds will feed on the larvae on the main trunk of the dead or dying tree. High value trees can be treated to protect them. If you are close to a known infestation, you may wish to consult a local arborist company for more information. The treatments are ongoing and can be quite costly. Begin planting trees now that can replace the ash trees in your landscape. However, don’t plant too close to ash trees or they could be damaged during removal operations.

Do not move ash materials, especially firewood. This is one of the most common ways for infestations to be moved to new locations. Please give ECE’s contractors your cooperation in removing ash trees. If you don’t plan to treat your trees, we would like to remove them before they become infested. 

Download printable FAQ

Resources
Emerald Ash Borer Information Network
International Society of Arboriculture
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

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  • Home
  • Your Cooperative
    • About Us
      • Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
      • History
      • About Touchstone Energy
    • Capital Credits
    • Careers & Job Openings
    • Cogeneration
    • Directors and Districts
      • Board Meetings
    • Director Election
    • Hours & Locations
    • Member Resource Council
    • Sustainability
    • Statement of Non-Discrimination
    • Power Concerns
    • Red Flags Rule
  • New Construction
    • Residential
    • Commercial
  • Residential
    • Billing & Payment
      • Charges & Fees
      • Payment Options
      • Understanding My Bill
    • Assistance Information
    • Cold Weather Rule
      • Military Cold Weather Rule
    • Landlord Preauthorization Agreement
    • Power Outage
    • Medical Alert
    • Renewable Energy
      • Solar Energy
      • Wind Energy
    • Sales Tax Exemptions
    • Start or Stop Service
    • Together We Save
    • Contact Us
  • Programs & Rebates
    • 2023 residential program highlights
    • Residential Rebates
    • Air Source Heat Pump
    • Storage Space Heating
    • Storage Water Heating
    • Interruptible Water Heating
    • Ground Source Heat Pump
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Dual Fuel
  • Business
    • Charges & Fees - Commercial
    • Contact Us - Business Accounts
    • Economic Development
    • Cost Saving Programs
    • Business Bulletin
    • Energy Saving Tips
      • Business Energy Evaluation
    • Payment Options Business
    • Start or Stop Service - Commercial
    • Rebates - Commercial
  • Contractors
    • Before Working Overhead
    • HVAC Contractors
    • Power Line Emergencies
    • Resources for Electricians
  • Safety
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Downed Power Lines
    • Storm Information
    • Copper Theft
    • Request a presentation
    • Safe Electricity
  • Community
    • Operation Round Up
      • Grants
    • COOPx
    • Scholarships
    • Community Award
    • Caring Members
    • Youth Tour
    • Community Partnership
    • Parents and Educators
    • Watt's Cookin'
    • Co-op Connections
  • Trees & Lines
    • Emerald Ash Borer
    • Storm Damage & Downed Lines
    • Tree Concerns & Requests
    • Tree Planting Guidelines
    • Vegetation Management Plan
  • Newsroom
    • Co-op Advantage Newsletter
    • News & Events
    • Media Inquiries
    • Pollinator Blog
    • Video Gallery
    • Annual Report