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Council endorses do-not-plant restriction for ash trees, seeks U‑of‑M study and removal cost estimates
Summary
Facing emerald ash borer impacts, Isanti City Council voted to add ash trees to a prohibited 'do-not-plant' list, asked staff to arrange a University of Minnesota research visit to trial a fungal treatment on 100 trees at no city cost, and directed staff to obtain contractor pricing for hazardous removals and options for resident 'adopt-a-tree' treatment programs.
Isanti — Council members spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing strategies to manage ash trees after emerald ash borer (EAB) damage, voted to add ash trees to a city 'do-not-plant' list, and instructed staff to pursue a University of Minnesota research partnership and cost estimates for removal and treatment options.
Staff summarized options presented by a University of Minnesota research team that offered to test an experimental fungal approach on up to 100 trees at no city cost, using an untreated control group as part of standard research design. Staff also outlined a separate, proven insecticide treatment that could be procured for a smaller set of high-value public trees, and a voluntary resident 'adopt-a-tree' bulk-purchase program that could give homeowners quantity discounts for treating beloved trees on private property.
Council voted unanimously to place ash species on the city’s do-not-plant list and asked staff to get vendor quotes for contractor removal for hazardous trees, to arrange a call or meeting with the university researchers (with planning/public works and the city attorney or insurance contact present), and to return with sample resident letters and cost estimates. The council emphasized the need to avoid a policy that creates an open-ended city obligation while allowing targeted actions for imminent hazards and pilot treatments.
