Stumps are all that remain of trees infested with emerald ash borer that have been removed along Anderson Lakes Parkway. Photo by Gillian Holte
The landscape along Anderson Lakes Parkway looks dramatically different in recent weeks, as a City of Eden Prairie tree removal project has removed many of the ash trees that previously lined the north side of the road near Anderson Lakes Park Reserve.
The project is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to combat the emerald ash borer (EAB), a bug that is winning its battle over ash trees in town, as described in Mark Weber’s recent article.
Tree removal along Anderson Lakes Parkway at Franlo Road. Photo courtesy of Ben Hymans / Hytreks.Studio.
A newly bare swath marks a formerly tree-lined street north of Anderson Lakes Parkway, seen at left in an aerial photo from near the Franlo Road intersection. It’s part of a City of Eden Prairie project to remove ash trees infected with the emerald ash borer, as noted in the sign picture at right. Aerial photo courtesy of Ben Hymans/Hytreks.Studio; sign photo by Gillian Holte
The city’s tree-felling project along Anderson Lakes Parkway and the nearby trail that runs from Neill Lake Road to Amsden Way is scheduled to last throughout the month, with occasional trail closures and minor traffic delays. The EAB-infested trees that are being removed will be replaced with various tree species at a 1:1 ratio in the spring. The project is funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Eden Prairie has additional information about the emerald ash borer on its website.
An aerial video shows the impact of the ash tree removal project along Anderson Lakes Parkway, including the Franlo Road intersection shown in the footage. Video courtesy of Ben Hymans/Hytreks.Studio