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Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was first discovered in the Rochester area in August 2014 and confirmed within city limits in 2015. As a result, Olmsted County was added to the Minnesota EAB quarantine area.

The City of Rochester Parks & Recreation Forestry Division manages a comprehensive urban tree program, including efforts to monitor, manage and control EAB.

Why This Matters

  • Rochester's current tree canopy cover is 27%
  • The Society of American Foresters recommends cities maintain a canopy cover of 40-60% at a minimum.
  • There are approximately 4,000 inventoried ash trees in Rochester.
  • If every ash tree in Rochester were removed due to EAB, canopy cover would drop to 19.5%

Our Priority

Ash trees make up a significant portion of Rochester’s urban forest. With 4,000 inventoried ash trees at risk, evaluating and managing this invasive pest is a top priority. Protecting existing trees where possible and planning for strategic removals and replacements are essential to maintaining environmental health, neighborhood livability and long-term sustainability.

EAB Resources

Identifying Ash Trees

  1. Pinnately-compound leaf with 5-7 leaflets
  2. Opposite branching
  3. Diamond-shaped bark

Signs and Symptoms of Emerald Ash Borer

  1. D-shaped holes out of the trunk
  2. S-shaped galleries under the bark
  3. Woodpecker holes
  4. Basal spouting (indicates a stressed tree)

View the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Emerald Ash Borer Status Map in a new window.

Ordinance 6-2, Tree Management - Nuisance, Disease, and Insect Control, covers the management of Dead-Standing Trees, high-risk trees, Oak wilt and Dutch elm disease. 

The City of Rochester is no longer marking EAB-infested ash trees on private property until they qualify as a High Risk Tree or Dead Standing Tree.

When possible, the City saves EAB-infested logs from the removal of public Ash. These logs are then milled and utilized across our park system. Use includes bathroom enclosures, trash enclosures, benches and more.

Contact Us

City of Rochester

201 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904

PHONE: 507-328-2311
FAX: 507-328-2901

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