Analysis of the Preparedness of the Minneapolis Tree Ordinance to Manage Emerald Ash Borer Stephen Schott ESPM 5242 December 4, 2007

The Problem The tree ordinance for Minneapolis does not have a sufficient strategic plan prepared to combat the economic and environmental problems that the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) will eventually present.

What’s the Big Deal? Ash trees make up about 20% of the Minneapolis street tree landscape. These trees will all be lost once EAB invades the city. Ash trees make up about 20% of the Minneapolis street tree landscape. These trees will all be lost once EAB invades the city. Major loss of urban tree canopy—about 38,000 trees Major loss of urban tree canopy—about 38,000 trees Lost environmental benefits Lost environmental benefits Hazardous tree increase Hazardous tree increase Large financial burden to remove hazardous trees and plant replacement trees—estimated $27 million Large financial burden to remove hazardous trees and plant replacement trees—estimated $27 million Same problem that Dutch elm disease caused nearly 50 years ago Same problem that Dutch elm disease caused nearly 50 years ago

The Stakeholders Minneapolis Minneapolis City Forester City Forester Local Officials Local Officials Tree Nurseries Tree Nurseries Tree Care Companies Tree Care Companies

Evaluative Criteria Effectiveness Effectiveness Financial and Economic Efficiency Financial and Economic Efficiency Administrative Operability Administrative Operability

The Options 1.Status Quo 2.Remove all ash trees now before EAB invades 3.Prohibit all plantings of ash and remove existing ash only as they die or decline. 4.Create a barrier around the city to keep out EAB

Status Quo: Description Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10 Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10 The ordinance does not account for EAB The ordinance does not account for EAB No formal planning at this point (however, the city no longer plants ash) No formal planning at this point (however, the city no longer plants ash) The ordinance has seven sections concerning Dutch elm disease, which is very applicable to EAB The ordinance has seven sections concerning Dutch elm disease, which is very applicable to EAB Right to inspect private property Right to inspect private property Must remove and properly destroy infected tree within 5 days of notification Must remove and properly destroy infected tree within 5 days of notification

Status Quo: Evaluation Effectiveness Ineffective, does not address EABIneffective, does not address EAB Financial and Economic Efficiency Short term cost: lowShort term cost: low Long term cost: highLong term cost: high Not efficient overall— depending on technological changes and when EAB invadesNot efficient overall— depending on technological changes and when EAB invades Administrative Operability No change short termNo change short term Long term: chaotic when EAB invades because no plan is in place to prepareLong term: chaotic when EAB invades because no plan is in place to prepare Criteria Met 0

Remove All Ash Trees Now: Description Begin removing all ash street trees so there will be no hazard tree problems in the future Begin removing all ash street trees so there will be no hazard tree problems in the future This will prevent young trees from getting large This will prevent young trees from getting large Will reduce cost of removing what will be a large tree in the future Will reduce cost of removing what will be a large tree in the future Will greatly reduce urban tree canopy for the next 20 years Will greatly reduce urban tree canopy for the next 20 years

Remove All Ash Trees Now: Evaluation Effectiveness Very effective, directly addresses the issueVery effective, directly addresses the issue ProactiveProactive Financial and Economic Efficiency Short term costs: highShort term costs: high Long term costs: mediumLong term costs: medium Administrative Operability With a plan in place, the city forester/crew should be able to complete this workWith a plan in place, the city forester/crew should be able to complete this work Budgetary constraintsBudgetary constraints Criteria Met 2.5

Prohibit Ash Plantings & Remove Existing Ash as They Die/Decline: Description No ash trees will be planted—at least not on city property No ash trees will be planted—at least not on city property Remove ash trees with declining health Remove ash trees with declining health This will allow the population to decrease over the years This will allow the population to decrease over the years Slower decrease in urban tree canopy until EAB arrives Slower decrease in urban tree canopy until EAB arrives

Prohibit Ash Plantings & Remove Existing Ash as They Die/Decline: Evaluation Effectiveness A plan is in place that addresses EABA plan is in place that addresses EAB Less proactiveLess proactive Financial/Economic Efficiency Short term cost: mediumShort term cost: medium Long term: medium/highLong term: medium/high Administrative Operability Spreads out the costs over time so there is less budget constraintSpreads out the costs over time so there is less budget constraint Will be somewhat chaotic when EAB hitsWill be somewhat chaotic when EAB hits Criteria Met 2.5

Make a Barrier Around The City: Description Cut down all ash trees on the outer mile of the city Cut down all ash trees on the outer mile of the city EAB can only move about ½ mile per year and moves towards ash EAB can only move about ½ mile per year and moves towards ash Theoretically EAB will not be able to get past the barrier Theoretically EAB will not be able to get past the barrier This has been attempted in other states as a quarantine after EAB was discovered This has been attempted in other states as a quarantine after EAB was discovered

Make a Barrier Around The City: Evaluation Effectiveness Does not address the issue within the cityDoes not address the issue within the city If EAB passes the barrier, a lot of money was wasted and more is needed to remove all ash within the cityIf EAB passes the barrier, a lot of money was wasted and more is needed to remove all ash within the city Financial and Economic Efficiency Costly to remove public and private trees for the barrierCostly to remove public and private trees for the barrier High cost to remove ash if barrier is passedHigh cost to remove ash if barrier is passed Administrative Operability Very hard to implementVery hard to implement Cannot find every ash tree for the barrierCannot find every ash tree for the barrier Chaotic period after EAB passes barrierChaotic period after EAB passes barrier Criteria Met 0

Recommendations Revise the ordinance! Revise the ordinance! Formally discontinue planting of ash trees Formally discontinue planting of ash trees Tree inventory for the city Tree inventory for the city Get more exact numbers and find out where existing ash trees are located Get more exact numbers and find out where existing ash trees are located Leave existing ash trees and remove low quality, high maintenance ash trees Leave existing ash trees and remove low quality, high maintenance ash trees This will reduce the amount of ash trees gradually This will reduce the amount of ash trees gradually Less canopy reduction, more environmentally friendly Less canopy reduction, more environmentally friendly Work with state and federal leaders. They are willing to help Work with state and federal leaders. They are willing to help

The End