Shakopee Snapshot: Spring 2024

PUBLIC WORKS

Protecting our city’s trees Learn how the city is handling Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald ash borer is an insect that kills ash trees. It can be spread through transported firewood. The adults are small, iridescent green beetles that live outside of trees during the summer months. The larvae are grub or worm-like and live underneath the bark of ash trees, slowly killing the tree by tunneling below the bark. Residents can help slow the spread of emerald ash borer by not trans porting firewood and by disposing of trees locally at a licensed facility. To avoid transporting emerging beetles to non-infesting areas, it is best practice to avoid pruning and removing ash trees in emerald ash borer infested areas during the flight season (May–September). There are chemical options that can protect ash trees against emer ald ash borer. Community members should consult with an arborist to determine if treatment is a viable option. What is the city doing about emerald ash borer? The city is treating approximately 550 ash trees along streets and in parks. The remaining ash trees that are not being treated are being removed and replaced over the course of several years. Approximately 900 infected ash trees have already been removed and approximately 500 more ash trees are scheduled for future removal. Residents will receive notification of the removal of a nearby public tree at least 48 hours before the removal takes place. The city removes ash trees during the winter months and then grinds the stumps and plants new trees in the spring.

Annual tree sale pre-orders open Pre-orders for the city’s annual Arbor Day Tree Sale will open Monday, March 15, to all Shakopee residents. Sales will close Friday, April 19. Trees can be picked up between 1–3 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at the Public Works Building, 400 Gorman St. To learn more about the tree sale guidelines or to order a tree, visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/treesale .

A healthy ash tree, pictured here, will have a full canopy of leaves, symmetrical growth, smooth bark that’s free of unusual markings and strong branch attachments.

A green alternative to burning leaves Burning yard waste is not legal in Minnesota

As spring arrives many residents make time to clean up accumulated leaves, sticks, and other vegetation often described as yard waste. Once the collection is done, how do you get rid of all the stuff? Although burning is often a suggestion, it is not legal to dispose of the material this way. Both the City of Shakopee and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources regulate open burning and the materials that can be burned. The following materials cannot be burned: Waste material includ ing, but not limited to, garbage, wastepaper, leaves, grass, yard and garden waste, debris from construction or demolition, hazardous

materials, oils, rubber, plastic, chemically treated materials, or other materials that produce excessive or noxious smoke. The most environmentally-friendly and sustainable option for yard waste disposal is composting. There are a variety of composting options, from home-based to commercial. Home-based composting offers an easy way to turn yard waste into usable material that can improve your soil, reduce chemical fertiliz ing, and reduce water waste. To learn more about compositing, visit the U.S. Environmental Protec tion Agency’s website at www.epa.gov/recycle .

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