Forestry

The City of Hutchinson’s Forestry Division has a long tradition of supporting a robust community forest which currently consists of over 13,000 public trees.

Hutchinson has been a Tree City USA program for over 40 years.  We take great pride in our “forest on the prairie” and strive to improve and expand it through maintenance and planting activities thereby ensuring the benefits of a healthy urban forest for generations to come.

Tree USA Sign

Forestry operations are provided through the combined efforts of the Public Works and Parks Departments who prune, remove and plant trees while also providing educational outreach to local schools and civic groups.

Donovan Schuette
Board Certified Master Arborist, Municipal Specialist
Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
MN-4636BM
HATS
1400 Adams St SE
Hutchinson, MN 55350


Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was discovered in August of 2023 in McLeod County, just east of Hutchinson at the intersection of County Road 4 and Highway 7.  With the advent of EAB this close to our community, it’s time to start increasing awareness about how this will impact our community and provide informational resources for residents.  We could see the impact of this issue as early as summer of 2024, based on the extent of the damage on the tree where the insect was discovered and its proximity to Hutchinson.  While this will be a significant impact on the city in terms of publicly owned trees, it will be even more difficult for residents with ash trees on private property.  We have enacted ordinance language that will allow us to issue removal or treatment orders for trees that are clearly infested with EAB on private property.  Unlike Dutch Elm Disease where removal orders were issued for sanitation to slow the spread of the disease, the removal or treatment orders for ash will be issued primarlity for resident safety, public safety, and reducing private property damage.  Ash trees infested with EAB can decline and fail much more rapidly than other trees after they die, thereby creating a hazard if not removed promptly.  Removal orders will contain details about when the tree should be removed, where the wood and brush should go, and what to do if a resident wishes to have the city contract the removal and have the cost added to their property tax.  There is a list of online resources below, that will address many of the questions we have received about EAB.  For any further questions, please use the Ask a Question Form on the bottom of this webpage.

EAB Location Map

Emerald Ash Borer Status (arcgis.com)

Minnesota Department of Agriculture

This will be our main resource on all things EAB.  It has information about how to identify EAB, treatment options, how to find a removal contractor, and just about everything useful that the department of agriculture has accrued since the advent of EAB.

Emerald Ash Borer | Minnesota Department of Agriculture (state.mn.us)

Treatment Option for EAB

This link gives details on evaluating if you should treat your tree or opt for removal

Is My Ash Tree Worth Treating for Emerald Ash Borer? – Wisconsin Horticulture

This link is a comprehensive list of insecticides and how to use them, both for the homeowner and the certified pesticide applicator.

Multistate_EAB_Insecticide_Fact_Sheet.pdf (emeraldashborer.info)


Tree Planting Video

 

New Tree Care Guide

 

Energy Tree Information

Tree Disease and Infestation Concerns

Have a tree health issue not listed here?

Diagnose a Problem

Resources

 

University of Minnesota Extension
Research-based information for landowners, loggers and industry professionals to help protect and improve Minnesota’s woodlands.

University of Minnesota – My Minnesota Woods
U of M Forest Resources Extension – home to all of the MN tree-related information you may need as a homeowner or industry professional.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – Division of Forestry
Learn more about what’s going on in the field of forestry here in MN. Topics include fire management, state land management, education and assistance, and more!

View all Insect Pests & Diseases
All of the information you need to know about tree pests and diseases in MN You can also find out more information about the emerald ash borer quarantine.

International Society of Arboriculture – Trees Are Good!
Resources on how to properly care for urban trees and what benefits these trees are providing. Reliable tree care information is provided by the International Society of Arboriculture and other industry organizations.


Ask a Question or Request for Tree Work or Inspection

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