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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan <br />City of St. Anthony Village, MN <br />WSB Project No. 022315-000 Page 22 <br />o An application of this rule would be that no more than 10 percent of public <br />trees should be bur oaks, no more than 20 percent should be in the Quercus <br />(oak) genus, and no more than 30 percent should be in the Fagaceae family <br />(oaks, beech, chestnut). <br />o It is regarded as a rule that has some limitations, and many urban foresters <br />believe each percentage should be even smaller, but it is a good starting point <br />to work from. Percentages for City property can be viewed in the computer- <br />based inventory which is updated as trees are removed and planted. <br />Some of the ash trees on boulevards have been preserved with stem injections, but <br />those that are too small or in poor condition will be removed and replaced on a case- <br />by-case basis using a diverse group of trees. <br />Although symmetry and repetition are planting concepts often implemented with <br />traditional landscape designs, they run in opposition with promoting species <br />diversity. <br /> Monoculture-type plantings where one to two species are utilized increase the <br />chance an entire space is clear cut when a non-native disease or insect like <br />EAB is introduced. <br /> Instead, there will be a less formal appearance in the boulevard planting <br />areas, shifting to more of a specimen-based arboretum style planting. <br />Repetition can be used, but the patterns could be more complex with a longer <br />stretch of space before species are repeated in the planting design. <br /> Infested ash trees lost in unmaintained/naturalized outlots, conservation <br />areas or other natural spaces would only be replanted if needed for significant <br />screening needs, or as part of a larger natural resource plan which would also <br />minimize non-native invasive species like European buckthorn and garlic <br />mustard. This program would not be the main reforestation focus during the <br />peak of EAB infestation unless significant resources were diverted. <br />In general, the best way to maximize the number and diversity of trees planted is to <br />use all available planting stock types: bare root, container, and balled-and-burlap <br />(B&B). <br /> Currently, most of the trees planted on City property are handled in- <br />house by Public Works staff and/or non-profit organizations such as Tree <br />Trust. If the City had to contract out all 123 tree replacements, the budget <br />would need to be about $100,000 to achieve 1:1 replanting. <br /> As part of the replanting plan, the City will implement a three-year <br />aftercare program. Stressed trees are more susceptible to diseases and <br />insect pests. Each tree must be watered and checked weekly during the <br />growing season of May through October for a minimum of two years (and <br />ideally three) to ensure the City’s investment is retained and the tree <br />continues to mature and provide ecosystem services and benefits.