On March 6, 2023, Farmington staff presented background on the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) pest; a review of the city’s 2017 EAB Plan; the status of EAB and boulevard trees; and three scenarios for moving forward with an updated EAB Plan. View city staff update to council regarding EAB.
- The pros and cons of each approach were discussed in detail; the primary driver for all scenarios is public safety. The status of EAB in parks and natural areas, particularly near pedestrian walkways was also discussed.
- City of Farmington staff took the council’s comments and proposed a fourth scenario that is both aggressive and keeps public safety as the focus.
- While it is unclear how many ash trees are within public ownership without a complete survey, we can estimate a total number of ash trees that will need to be removed by the city at approximately 4,000.
- It is recommended that the city continue to utilize treatments as a management tool and begin an aggressive five-year removal plan. Staff recommends we continue to treat trees that are currently being treated and treat remaining ash that are treatable that are in good or fair condition.
Staff have negotiated a Discounted EAB Treatment Program for the public.
Contracted crews will be removing and injecting ash trees on public property which includes city boulevards and parks. Unfortunately, at this time the city is not replacing ash trees in the boulevard. Residents who want to plant must do so on their property (approximately 20 feet from the curb) and outside of the city boulevard.