Trending
MARSHALL -- The city of Marshall still has funds available to help Marshall residents remove ash trees or plant new trees. However, the funding won't be available after June, city staff announced.
"We have to have completed our grant by June 30," said Parks and Recreation Superintendent Preston Stensrud.
The city's Ash Tree Removal and Replacement Reimbursement Program reimburses eligible residents for some of the cost to remove ash trees, or to plant new trees. The program was funded by part of a $329,080 ReLeaf Grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Right now, the city still has about $40,000 left of the funds it put toward reimbursements for ash tree removal, Stensrud said. Marshall city staff said there is also about $73,000 left for replacement tree reimbursements.
"We thought the funds would be depleted quicker," Stensrud said.
Marshall has been working to treat or replace ash trees on public property, especially after emerald ash borer was confirmed in the city. Stensrud said the city used part of the ReLeaf grant funds, and made a total of about $160,000 available for reimbursements.
Under the reimbursement program, Marshall residents can receive reimbursements of up to $100 on the total purchase price of a new tree, with a limit of four trees per property. Stensrud said residents don't have to have removed an ash tree in order for a new tree planting to qualify for a reimbursement.
Marshall residents can also get reimbursements of up to $200 for the removal of an ash tree, with a limit of two tree removals per property. Tree removals must be done between Nov. 1 and May 1, when the emerald ash borer is less active.
Stensrud said fall is a good time for tree planting, so potential applicants have a good opportunity to use reimbursement funds. He said residents interested in applying for removal or replacement reimbursements, or who have questions, can email him at preston.stensrud@ci.marshall.mn.us or call 507-537-6786.
If the funds set aside for ash tree removals and replacements are not all used, Stensrud said he will contact the DNR to see if they can be used for city planting instead.