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Woodbury launches program to cover upfront costs for private ash tree removal
Summary
Woodbury unveiled the Private Ash Tree Removal Assessment Program, which pays upfront removal costs for eligible private ash trees and adds the expense (plus that year’s bond interest) to homeowners’ property tax bills; applications require two arborist quotes and a tax statement.
Woodbury announced a new program to help homeowners pay for removing dying ash trees that have been weakened by the Emerald Ash Borer, a staff member said. The Private Ash Tree Removal Assessment Program covers upfront removal costs and places the repayment on the homeowner’s property tax bill.
The city described the measure as a financing option to address safety risks from brittle, unstable ash trees on private property. Under the program, the city pays contractors up front; the removal cost plus any bond interest set for that year is then added to the homeowner’s property taxes, according to city staff.
City staff said the program will run on a first-come, first-served basis within a yearly budget and is planned to operate for the next three years. Eligibility is limited: the tree must be an ash tree on privately owned property, and the homeowner must be the applicant. Properties outside Woodbury, commercial properties and common-interest-community shared land are not eligible.
To apply, residents begin with two pre-approval questions online. Qualified applicants must submit contact information, two written quotes from a Certified Arborist and a PDF copy of their property tax statement from the Washington County Taxpayer website. City staff will review applications and, if approved, issue a conditional approval letter and an assessment agreement and waiver.
Applicants have seven days to sign and notarize the agreement and return it to Public Works. Once the city signs the agreement, the homeowner receives an authorization letter to proceed with tree removal. After the work is complete, the homeowner must send the final invoice and photos of the removal; the city then pays the contractor and records the assessment on the homeowner’s property tax bill for repayment.
For full program details and to apply, the city directed residents to woodbury.gov/AshRemoval. The city emphasized the program is intended to reduce safety hazards from ash trees infested by the Emerald Ash Borer while spreading costs over time through property tax assessment.
