Environment

Research has shown that trees provide tremendous monetary, environmental and social value. They reduce storm water and utility bills, increase air quality and property values, and other benefits. Before you start digging a hole in the yard for a new tree, here’s some information to know:

You should always plant a tree that fits the site, e.g., do not plant an oak 10 feet from your house. Determine how much space you have for a tree and pick one that fits there at maturity. Here is a list of recommended species for our area:

Giving your tree the best shot at a long, healthy life starts early. Many trees are planted improperly and end up dying at a young age or falling and causing damage. A great concise resource for tree planting and maintenance is the Tree Owners’ Manual. Remember to always contact Gopher State One at 651-454-0002 prior to digging or planting to have underground utilities located. 

Are leaves falling off your tree in the middle of summer? Is the foliage of the tree off-color or different than it was last year? Are there strange bumps or ragged edges on the tree leaves? Have you noticed an increase in insects or caterpillars on your tree? The University of Minnesota has created a very user-friendly website to diagnose plant problems: What’s wrong with my plant? If you would like additional help diagnosing what is wrong with your tree, please contact a local certified arborist. There are many common tree problems that occur within Minnesota. Diseased trees within the city are managed according to Ordinance 500(PDF, 10KB). Diseased trees on city property, such as parks, open space areas and road right-of-way, are managed according to the ordinance. The cost for the removal and stump grinding of these diseased trees is paid by the city. Diseased trees identified and marked on private property are the responsibility of property owner. Here are some common diseases that affect Minnesota trees:

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a non-native, invasive insect that attacks and kills ash trees. It was confirmed in the Twin Cities metropolitan area in 2009. It is 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. Trees are killed by the tunneling of the larvae under the tree's bark. Residents can help slow the spread of emerald ash borer by not transporting firewood and by disposing of trees locally. To avoid transporting emerging beetles to non-infested areas, it is a best practice to avoid pruning and removing ash (May-September) in emerald ash borer infested areas during the flight season.

There are chemical options which have proven effective for protecting ash trees against emerald ash borer. If you desire to save your ash tree, you should begin treatment. Emerald ash borer’s population is expected to rise and fall in a matter of 10-12 years. Therefore, ash desired to be saved will need to be treated every one to three years (depending on chemical) during this time. After all the non-treated ash have died emerald ash borer’s food source will be limited, reducing its population. At this point, you should anticipate a longer time between treatments, every three to six years depending on pest pressure. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has the latest information about treatment options for homeowners on its website.

Emerald ash borer has been shown to kill 100 percent of ash trees not chemically treated. It is not recommended to immediately remove all ash trees you do not plan to treat, but you should prepare for it.

When replacing your ash tree, it is wise to incorporate diversity in your yard. This will reduce the likelihood of losing many trees when the next insect or disease comes around. See the recommended species list.

For additional information on emerald ash borer in Minnesota, please visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s EAB webpage.

Although the City did not receive funding to replace diseased trees, in early 2024 Hennepin County was awarded 10 million dollars from the U.S. Forest Service to remove diseased trees, plant trees, educate residents, and support businesses and workforce development.  Work on this project began in spring 2024 and will continue through January 31, 2029.  Hennepin County will help homeowners with low incomes get trees removed and replaced on their properties.  Visit their website to learn about the process:

Urban and Community Forestry | Hennepin County

Click the below links to view:

City Code 512 Surface Use of Lake Independence(PDF, 136KB)

City Code 510 Boats, Harbors, and Waters(PDF, 11KB)

Scientific evidence shows that the water quality of lakes, streams and wetlands may be adversely affected using turf fertilizers containing phosphorus on nearby lands because of storm water runoff or other causes. Medina established City Code 520(PDF, 10KB)  to regulate the sale and use of turf fertilizer containing phosphorous to improve the quality of ground and surface water in the City.

The purpose of City Code 535(PDF, 11KB)  is to regulate the use of coal tar-based sealer products within the City of Medina, to protect, restore, and preserve the quality of its waters. The City has undertaken water quality maintenance practices to achieve that goal; including but not limited to: cleaning and removing sediment from ponds; snow removal practices that eliminate or significantly reduce the need to apply salt to roadway surfaces; public education and outreach to citizens about managing water runoff as a means of keeping pollutants out of water bodies; banning the use of fertilizers that contain phosphorous; and adopting an infiltration and inflow policy to eliminate the direct discharge of residential stormwater into lakes. The City of Medina understands that lakes, rivers, streams and other bodies of water are natural assets which enhance the environmental, recreational, cultural and economic resources and contribute to the general health and welfare of the community.