Duluth, Superior Fight Emerald Ash Borer Differently

Duluth Awaiting the Arrival of the Insect

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As Superior is sawing down ash trees lining the city of streets, Duluth is anxiously waiting for the arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer.

The city is ready to attack with a different approach when or if it arrives. 

The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive insect that mates to ash trees where they eat into parts of the tree disrupting the flow of water that will eventually kill the tree. 

The city of Duluth has not found any signs of the insect but is ready for them when they come. 

Kelly Fleissner, Duluth’s Maintenance Operations Manager, says Superior’s tree removal plan is an option but wants to save some of it’s trees from destruction. 

“We’re considering doing an injection program with a chemical that will keep the ash borer’s out of the tree,” Fleissner said. 

But, in the meantime the trees that aren’t in good shape are being cut down more aggressively than in the past.

“So, every year that we don’t have ash borer here and we reduce the population of ash trees on our boulevards, the more we can spread out the costs of dealing with this pest.  So, we hope it’s going to be several more years before it gets here,” Fleissner said. 

The tentative plan to selectively treat trees will be more expensive.

But, it’s something they are wanting and willing to do. 

A single tree would cost nearly $300 to treat.