The lack of a long term plan (none since 1965) for the Minneapolis Park and
Recreation Board should be looked at in terms of our urban forest. I am not a
tree expert but I am interested and involved in the importance of trees to
clean air, clean water, sustainability and livability.
I also know that there are tree experts on this list and I would love their
assistance in explaining and understanding these issues.
In hindsight, the 10 year delay in taking any significant action about Dutch
Elm Disease is as much a cause of our current Dutch Elm Crisis as those
little beetles.
David French U of MN Extension-
"Even after the disease was found in Minnesota there were excellent
opportunities to take steps to reduce or slow subsequent disease losses. The
state
had almost a decade in which the disease remained at low levels and could have
been managed. In the city of St. Paul, from 1961 through 1968 only 30
positive cases were officially reported. The disease was not found in
Minneapolis
until 1963".
It also took the disease 30 years to get here. Again with the clarity of
hindsight we could have saved $100 million dollars or more that has been spent
on removal or replacement. I'll leave it to current Park Commissioners to look
at why we were surprised and under funded for this year's effort to less
than keep up with the disease.
In terms of foresight our Buckthorn problem is a devastating threat to our
parkland green space.
>From MN DNR:
"Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) was first brought to Minnesota from
Europe in the mid-1800s as a very popular hedging material. Shortly after its
introduction here, it was found to be quite invasive in natural areas.
* Out-competes native plants for nutrients, light, and moisture
* Degrades wildlife habitat
* Threatens the future of forests, wetlands, prairies, and other
natural habitats
* Contributes to erosion by shading out other plants that grow on the
forest floor
* Serves as host to other pests, such as crown rust fungus and soybean
aphid
* Forms an impenetrable layer of vegetation
* Lacks "natural controls" like insects or disease that would curb its
growth"
In the River Gorge, by my house, we are in serious danger of a Buckthorn
monoculture that is deadly for wildlife habitat and is harmful to soil
chemistry
and water quality. If we don't remove this alien allelopath it will destroy
the ecological health of the urban forests. It is also an ugly forest with no
fall colors. This in the long run may be a more long term and devastating
effect than our loss of elms. This is a real crisis. So how much money is in
the Park Board operating budget for Buckthorn Removal??? $0 dollars.
In Southeast Michigan there are 6 Million dead or dying Ash trees (Emerald
Ash Bore)
Maybe we should look at more than just next year's budget to protect and
preserve our much needed trees and urban forest.
Thanks, Scott Vreeland Seward
I would also like to blame the unlady- like Asian ladybug invasion on
Buckthorn. I think it has something to do with Buckthorn being the only urban
source of the soy bean aphids that they need to survive, but I am not sure of
this. I would love any off list confirmation of whether this documented
somewhere.
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