Nearly a year after the Emerald Ash Borer was identified in Northfield, the city is working to slow – if not stop – the spread of the insect that kills Ash trees, and it is encouraging the members of the community to do the same thing.
Last March, a local tree care business reported an ash tree in an area north of Oddfellows Park with bark cracks and woodpecker damage in the tree canopy, all signs of infection. Shortly afterwards, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture confirmed the infestation.
Shelley Evanson, the Northfield City Horticulturist, said the insects move rather slowly, usually at a rate of up to a mile per season, so the city expects to start to see the effects of the insects in the next 2-3 years. But she said damage is coming, and Ash trees in the city will begin to deteriorate.
The city is doing its best to treat the trees in the city parks and in the right of way areas. Should the larvae be detected early enough, it is possible that a tree can be saved through injections every two years. She suggested those with Ash trees on their property do the same thing, however it is not something that has to happen until the tree shows signs of infestation.
The most obvious sign would be woodpecker damage, because woodpeckers like the Emerald Ash Borer larvae. After a person notices woodpecker holes, they should check for bark cracks. The larvae tunneling under the bark can cause it to split open, revealing the S-shaped tunnels underneath.
Always confirm that the tree is in fact an Ash tree. According to the city’s website, Ash trees are distinguished by branches and buds that are directly across from each other and not staggered, compound leaves that are composed of 5 to 11 leaflets, and bark that is tight on mature trees, with diamond-shaped ridges. The site also says that young Ash tree bark is relatively smooth.
Evanson said there are other threats to the trees in Northfield, but many of them can be warded off simply by keeping the trees in good shape.
“There are some other ones that the DNR has brought to our attention. There’s the Spongy Moth, but they tend to attack trees that are stressed, so they probably won’t affect the trees as much as the Emerald Ash Borer which attacks healthy trees as well. So, keeping our trees healthy is probably the most important thing for most of the insect and disease issues.”
Mayor Rhonda Pownell said the city is taking the threat seriously. There are approximately 1,600 ash trees on public land and in the right-of-way. And while the city does not keep count of trees on private property, it estimates about 15% of the private tree inventory is made up of ash trees. Many Ash trees are scheduled to be removed this year, and she said the city policy is to replant two trees of different species for every one that is taken down.
“We do value our trees. It’s important to take care of the city’s urban forest. In the parks, in the street boulevards, we are really trying to plant more trees. I think that that’s important for our community. People value their trees. They’re good for the environment, they improve the air quality, they lower greenhouse gas emissions. They serve so many different purposes.”
Those who suspect they have an infested tree should contact a tree care professional to treat or remove it. Any infestation should be reported to Evanson at 507-645-3037 or Shelley.Evanson@ci.northfield.mn.us and to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 888-545-6684 or reportapest@state.mn.us.
Dundas has interest from developer for CFS property
On Monday night, the City of Dundas took a step closer to redeveloping the property at 215 North Railway Street, which is the site of the former CFS/Dundas Coop fertilizer plant, by conveying the property to the Dundas Economic Development Authority.
The city purchased the property in December after invoking a long held right-of-first-refusal clause with CFS. An agreement signed more than twenty years ago stated that, once CFS had received a purchase offer on the property, the City of Dundas would be allowed to match the offer. Last fall CFS informed the city that an offer had been made, and the Dundas City Council decided to match the price.
City Administrator Jenelle Teppen said the Economic Development Authority has developed a business subsidy plan for situations just like this, and the city intends to offer the site as a tax increment financing development district to make it more attractive to a developer who might have interest in working with the city. She said meetings have been had with a local developer, and the interest is definitely there.
As the property was once the site of a fertilizer plant, an Environmental Impact Study is required before more can be done. Teppen said Phase I of that study has been completed, however Phase II is a much more detailed and involved process that can cost quite a bit of money, so the City of Dundas has applied to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for a grant to move forward on the process.
The Dundas Economic Development Authority was revived in 2021 to invigorate business development within the city. Teppen said the group has an excellent opportunity to create something very positive for the city with this property.
“It’s pretty exciting for us to be looking at a pretty significant redevelopment project in that area. It’s the best real estate almost in Dundas, right along the banks of the Cannon. It would make a beautiful, beautiful redevelopment.”
Other projects that have involved the revived Dundas EDA include the Slumberland store at 404 Schilling Drive, and the new Tractor Supply facility scheduled to open later this year.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Dundas City Administrator Jenelle Teppen can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
