This summer I’ve noticed for the first time some widespread effects of Emerald Ash Borer in the Marshall area.

There are clusters of partially defoliated ash trees in locations such as Southwest Minnesota State University and the Eatros Place housing addition on the opposite side of town. There are at least several other locations where more than a couple of trees are affected.

The ash were widely planted in the 1970s and 1980s after Dutch Elm Disease killed off many of the nation’s elm trees.

In many communities, elms provided a stately canopy over residential streets. They shaded the streets and the front yards. They were a symbol of a nice neighborhood.

When the elms were lost, everyone wanted replacement trees that were easy to grow and easy to manage. The ash trees, especially green ash, met the need. After having a tree cover that was mostly elms, we soon had a tree mix dominated by ash.

The ash borer was first found in Michigan shortly after the millennium. It entered the United States in packing materials from Asia.

The spread of the ash borer throughout much of the nation mostly brought a halt to the planting of new ash trees. Much has been invested in research to treat impacted trees, but the borer has continued to expand its range.

Research has shown that the ash borer has a limited ability to migrate from tree to tree. As a result, it’s thought that there will be remnants of surviving ash in isolated locations such as rural farm plantings.

We should learn a lesson from the ash borer that wasn’t learned from the Dutch Elm beetle. We shouldn’t become overly dependent on just one type of tree.

Instead we should have a good mix of at least four or five hardwood species, as well as some evergreens. Nurseries and tree contractors can help property owners make good choices.

A hardwood offers summer shade, fall color and winter sunlight. An evergreen has year round color, along with an ability to provide wind protection. One of the keys to good planning is to think in terms of the eventual height of the tree, which ensures that it won’t outgrow its space.

Trees are probably the best example of the need for biodiversity, but it’s also reflected in horticulture. Gardens are often a good alternative to simply having an entire yard covered by a lawn.

Garden plants provide food, color, habitat for urban wildlife and nutrients for the soil. They’re a tradition that has in some ways become a lost art. For some people it seems like too much work. Most people who garden in 2026 see it as a labor of love.

I signed up for a raised bed this spring at Boulder Estates. My results have been excellent. This month I’m getting leaf lettuce faster than I can eat it.

My tomato plant has about a dozen green cherry tomatoes and many more blossoms. My sweet pepper survived some nibbling by deer and has produced two peppers so far. The tall orange marigolds, pink and white petunias, and red and white dianthus add color.

It’s a chance to get the joys of gardening with a small, manageable space. Almost 20 neighbors have other raised beds, which leads to a huge assortment of plants and good conversations with both gardeners and non-gardeners.

Horticulture should be taught in schools. I remember planting beans and radishes in milk cartons as an elementary student. It led me to want to help with gardening at home.

We eventually had a set of small gardens surrounding the backyard, plus my mom’s container plants on the deck. We were a stopping point on the Prairie Home Hospice garden tour in 2004 along with four other nearby Marguerite Avenue gardens.

So it’s nice to be able to garden again. Someone who’s just starting out can get free advice from the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener program. Experienced gardeners can receive training as a Master Gardener in return for volunteer time that they donate to their communities.

Trees and gardens are more than just fun hobbies. They beautify our yards, neighborhoods, parks and farm sites. They’re a reason to look forward to every growing season. Each year is filled with possibilities.

— Jim Muchlinski is a longtime reporter and contributor to the Marshall Independent