SAINT PAUL -- At 90-years-old, Louis Prudhomne is tired of raking his yard. "It gets to be a nuisance after 50-years of sweeping up all the time. Trees are beautiful and we don't need something this size in a small neighborhood like this," said Prudhomne.
The City of Saint Paul has targeted the two-block tree-lined street of California between Milton and Oxford, in the Como Park neighborhood. The plan is to remove all 40 ash trees, which are marked with a notice, green tape and shrink wrap.
"The trees on this street are in poor condition and that was one of the things we were looking for," said Rachel Coyle, a Technician for Minnesota Natural Resources.
Not only do these trees shed sticks from a simple gust of wind, they are very old.
"They were very beautiful I'm sure at one time, they must be 60 or 70 years old now," said resident Jim Weyland.
It's likely that the Emerald ash borer, which is a beetle from Asia, could create an infestation. There was already an infestation in Saint Anthony Park in May. About 80 infested trees have been removed so far.
"They say (the infestation) can move a mile a year, so if you do the math it could already be in this neighborhood, we haven't found it here yet," said Coyle. "If Emerald ash borer is here it won't last long at all."
The ash borer can be found under bark. The larva from the eggs kill the tree, preventing it from conducting its nutrients and will die.
If this neighborhood remains untouched, the trees may become infested or will die anyway.
"You can't eradicate the pests, they've tried it in Michigan and it's not possible. The thinking now is reducing the spread. By doing removals around the city now, we can eliminate thousands of dead trees," said Coyle.
"I think it's progress," said Weyland.
For Louis...
"I'm in favor of them taking them down and putting up nicer trees that don't shed so many leaves and create a nuisance all the time," said Prudhomne.
This could be the last year he picks up annoying sticks from his yard.
"I'll be happy."
The project will be costly. St. Paul officials estimate each tree will cost $775 to remove and replace.
The trees will start being cut down next week and should take about a day or two. New trees will be planted immediately and those include Sienna Glen Maple and Redmond Lindens.
