Last week the City of Northfield and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced the first confirmed 
case of an Emerald Ash Borer infestation within the Northfield city limits. It is a situation the city has been working to delay as long as possible, but the arrival of the tree-killing insect was most likely inevitable.
Faith Applequist, a renowned arborist who lives in Apple Valley, said there are things that a homeowner can do to prevent Emerald Ash Borers from destroying their trees, but things must be done sooner than later.
The Emerald Ash Borer is a small green beetle native to Southeast Asia. It was first discovered in the United States in 2009 and has been steadily spreading west ever since. Applequist said the adult beetles lay eggs in the trees, and it is the larvae that hatch from those eggs that cause the real damage. The larvae burrow underneath the bark of a tree and eat the top layer of the wood just beneath the bark that is rich in sugars and nutrients. The tree is damaged in that it is deprived of the nutrients it needs, itself, but also the boring larvae create holes in the trees that prevent the tree from drawing more nutrients from the ground. Applequist said the insects begin feeding on the tops of the trees and work their way down. Once they get to the trunk, which can take up to two years, the tree will die rather quickly.
While it has taken several years for the EAB to get to Minnesota, the state is especially susceptible to the insect. Minnesota has more than 1 billion ash trees, which roughly 11% of all the ash trees in the United States. And, she said, the results of its arrival are going to be catastrophic.
“When the insect came over here from China and Korea, the trees had no defense. They’ve evolved without this insect, so they’re defenseless. This is what they call an extinction event in the sense that all the Ash trees will die in the United States.”
The symptoms of an infestation can be seen but are probably something one must be looking for. Woodpecker damage is usually the first sign. The birds feed on the EAB larvae and will create several holes trying to get to them. Applequist said a person who notices woodpecker damage should then look at the bark, which will have turned to a cream color. At that point, she said, it is important to call in a professional.
Treatment for healthy trees and trees in the early stages of infestation is available. Applequist said a licensed applicator can inject a systemic pesticide into the tree that will keep the borers away. However, in order to be effective, the pesticide must be applied before the bugs have taken over 40% of the tree, and sometimes less. Only a licensed applicator can inject the tree with the pesticide, but Applequist said any reputable tree company will have someone on hand with the proper licensing.
She also said there are products that can be purchased over the counter, but she feels that those products are ineffective.
“There are homeowner products that are out there on the market that you can use to mix up a solution and pour it on the soil. But my experience has been that those don’t work with heavy pest pressure that we have now. So, I come out to those trees that the homeowners have been treating and they still are in decline.”
Appelquist said it is not too early for Northfielders to act to protect their high value trees, and those who are concerned should contact a tree care company immediately.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with a Faith Applequist can be heard here
Open Houses set for tonight
The Northfield School District is hosting the second of two open house style meetings tonight for the public to 
talk with members of the school board and the administration about the district’s next round of cuts being made to the budget.
When cuts were made in 2022, the district convened a sixty-member district task force from the general public to help the district prioritize everything in the budget, but this year the open house meetings allow anyone who is interested to make comments, ask questions and give opinions on the matter.
Approximately $2.5 million will be cut from the budget for next year. Among the options are a reduction in full-time employees at Northfield High School and the elementary schools, discontinuing the Portage program, going to a six period, instead of a seven-period day at the Northfield Middle School, elimination of most Middle School activities and discontinuing the after-school activity bus. The board is also considering an option for charging those who live within two miles of the school for transportation.
Tonight’s meeting will be at the Northfield Middle School from 6pm until approximately 8:30.
Meanwhile, the City of Northfield will also host an open house meeting tonight, this is the second of three open 
houses that are open to the general public to hear about, discuss and share ideas regarding the Riverfront and Downtown redevelopment plans.
Over the last few months, City Consultants Bob Close and Bruce Jacobson have met with city leaders and civic groups like Rotary and the Defeat of Jesse Jays committee to discuss the future of Northfield’s most high-profile areas. Last month, the two, along with developer Michael Lander, held meetings and made presentations to business leaders and property owners. The three newly announced open houses are for anyone who is curious about the plans.
During each open house, Close and Jacobson will go over the latest private and public development projects, including Bridge Square, the Archer Block and the 5th and Water Street projects, after which there will be time for public questions and comments.
Northfield City Planner Mikayla Schmidt said Close and Jacobson have been very good with the communication side of the project, and the meeting tonight is yet another example.
“I think they’ve done a really good job of reaching out to the businesses, the local people that work and live around the park, and now we have something a bit more concrete to then take to the general public. Greenville is hosting a forum at 6, I believe. And then the following week is at FiftyNorth.”
Tonight’s Open House at Greenvale Park Elementary is indeed from 6 to 8pm. The third will be next Thursday, March 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at FiftyNorth.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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