City of Albert Lea begins removal of low-quality ash trees

(ABC 6 News) – The City of Albert Lea announced they have begun to remove low-quality ash trees as part of the city’s Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan.

The city has contracted with Albert Lea Tree Service to remove ash trees identified as substandard. The company will be marking the trees by cutting a circle into the trunks.

Officials in Albert Lea say the emerald ash borer will cost the city nearly $800,000 over the next 20 years in treating and replacing ash trees.

RELATED: Emerald ash borer causing thousands in damage in Albert Lea

The city says their plan is to “treat the best and replace the rest” for ash trees on city property. There are about 12,000 ash trees in total across the city – about 9% on city property such as parks and boulevards.

The city will be treating 830 high-quality ash trees with an insecticide and removing and replacing 270 low-quality trees with a diverse mix of tree species, including birch, honey-locust, hackberry, ginkgo, buckeye, linden, ironwood, and disease-resistant elm trees.

City staff says their plan is to remove the low-quality trees by the end of April 2023.