Key Takeaways:
- Stearns County remains under a full state quarantine for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in 2026.
- Ash trees killed by EAB become extremely brittle and pose a significant property risk.
- Preventive trunk injections are the only effective way to save high-value ash trees.
- Stearns Electric and local municipalities have updated policies regarding right-of-way ash removals.
- Early detection through blonding and woodpecker activity is critical for 2026 management.
The landscape of Stearns County, Minnesota, is at a critical crossroads in 2026. For years, residents across Richmond, St. Cloud, and Rockville have watched with growing concern as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) moved through neighboring territories. Today, that threat is no longer distant; it is a localized crisis. With nearly 16 million ash trees calling Stearns County home, the ecological and financial stakes have never been higher. As we move deeper into the 2026 season, understanding the current state of the infestation and the regulatory landscape is essential for every property owner.
The State of the Infestation in 2026
Since its confirmed detection in St. Cloud and Sauk Centre, EAB has transitioned from a sporadic nuisance to a widespread epidemic. In 2026, the infestation wave is hitting its peak in several pockets of central Minnesota. Data from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) confirms that Stearns County remains under a strict quarantine. This means that moving regulated articles, including ash logs, ash tree waste, and all hardwood & firewood, out of the county is prohibited to prevent further spread to uninfected areas of the state.
The 2026 update highlights a troubling trend: the speed of decline. Once EAB larvae begin feeding on the inner bark (phloem) of an ash tree, they disrupt the flow of nutrients and water. In the early years of the Minnesota infestation, this process took three to five years to kill a tree. However, with the increased pest density we are seeing this year, trees are succumbing much faster. By the time a homeowner notices significant canopy thinning, the tree is often 30% to 50% infested, making it a danger tree that requires immediate attention.
Identifying the 2026 Warning Signs
For Stearns County residents, the most visible indicator this year is blonding. As woodpeckers strip away the outer bark to reach the EAB larvae beneath, the lighter inner bark is exposed. If you look at the canopy of your ash trees and see patches of pale, straw-colored wood, the borer is likely present. Other signs to watch for include:
- D-Shaped Exit Holes: These tiny, 1/8-inch holes are where the adult beetles emerge.
- Epicormic Sprouting: New, leafy growth sprouting from the base of the trunk or lower branches is a sign that the tree is gasping for nutrients.
- S-Shaped Galleries: If bark falls away, you will see winding, serpentine tunnels etched into the wood.
- Vertical Bark Cracks: The tree’s attempt to callous over the internal damage caused by the larvae.
The Danger of Brittle Wood
One of the most significant updates for 2026 involves the physical state of dead ash trees. Unlike many other species that rot slowly, ash trees killed by EAB lose their moisture content almost immediately. The wood becomes exceptionally brittle and prone to shattering. In Richmond and the surrounding areas, we have seen dead ash trees fail even without high winds. This poses a massive liability for homeowners, as these trees can drop heavy limbs on power lines, vehicles, or homes without warning.
Stearns Electric has recently updated its policies to address this. If an infested ash tree is within the right-of-way and threatens primary power lines, utility crews may top the tree to mitigate the immediate electrical hazard, but the remaining trunk and cleanup often fall to the property owner. This makes proactive management, rather than waiting for a failure, the most cost-effective path forward in 2026.
Management Strategies: Treatment vs. Removal
In 2026, the question for most residents is no longer If EAB will arrive, but how to handle it. You generally have two viable options:
1. Professional Trunk Injections
For high-value specimen trees that provide shade or aesthetic value, preventative treatment is highly successful. The current gold standard involves injecting abamectin benzoate directly into the vascular system of the tree. This method is far superior to soil drenches, which the City of St. Cloud and other local municipalities discourage due to the risk of water pollution and harm to local pollinators. A professional injection provides two years of protection and is significantly cheaper than the cost of removing a mature, dead tree.
2. Strategic Removal
If a tree is already showing more than 30% canopy loss, it may be too late for treatment. In these cases, scheduled removal is the safest option. Removing a tree while it still has some structural integrity is safer and often less expensive than an emergency removal after the tree has become a brittle hazard. Furthermore, removing infested trees helps reduce the local pest load, potentially slowing the spread to your neighbors’ healthy trees.
Environmental Stewardship and Replanting
As we lose a significant portion of our urban forest to EAB, 2026 is also the year of reforestation. The MDA and local arborists recommend diversifying our landscapes. Instead of planting more ash or even just one other species like maple, residents are encouraged to plant a mix of hardy species such as Hackberry, Kentucky Coffee tree, or various Oak varieties. This diversity ensures that if another species-specific pest arrives in the future, our entire canopy won’t be at risk.
Navigating the Quarantine Regulations
As a reminder for 2026, the movement of hardwood firewood remains the primary way EAB travels long distances. Even if you are traveling within Stearns County, the best practice is to burn it where you buy it. If you are having an ash tree removed, ensure your contractor is aware of the disposal sites approved for EAB-infested material. Processing this wood, usually by chipping it to one inch in two dimensions, is required to kill the larvae before the wood can be repurposed or moved.
At Total Control Tree Service, we provide expert arborist solutions tailored to the specific needs of Stearns County residents. Led by a Board Certified Master Arborist, our team specializes in tree removal & emergency storm cleanup, tree maintenance & trimming, stump grinding, and protective tree injections. We don’t just cut down trees; we focus on enhancing tree vitality by utilizing advanced techniques to deliver precise treatments that safeguard your ash trees against pests like EAB.
Serving Richmond and the surrounding Central Minnesota area, we take pride in delivering reliable, efficient, and responsible tree care that restores the value and beauty of your land.
Frequently Asked Questions by Homeowners in Minnesota
Is EAB in Richmond, MN yet?
Yes, EAB is active throughout Stearns County, including the Richmond and Cold Spring areas. In 2026, we are seeing a significant uptick in confirmed infestations.
Can I treat my ash tree myself?
While some over-the-counter products exist, they are often insufficient for large trees and can be harmful to the environment. Professional-grade trunk injections are the most effective and eco-friendly solution.
How do I know if my tree is an ash?
Ash trees have opposite branching and compound leaves with 5 to 11 leaflets. The bark on mature trees typically has a distinct diamond-shaped pattern.
When is the best time to treat for EAB?
The ideal window for injections is in the spring or early summer (May through June) when the tree is actively transporting water and nutrients.
Why are EAB-killed trees more dangerous than other dead trees?
Ash wood dries out extremely fast once the tree dies, making the limbs brittle and prone to shattering. This makes climbing these trees for removal very dangerous.
Does the Stearns County quarantine mean I can’t cut down my tree?
You can remove the tree, but you cannot move the wood outside of the quarantined area without proper certification and processing.
What should I do if my tree is near power lines?
Contact a certified arborist immediately. Never attempt to prune or remove a tree near power lines yourself. Total Control Tree Service has the expertise and equipment to handle these situations.
Summary Checklist: Managing EAB in 2026
| Condition | Risk Level | Recommended Action |
| Healthy Ash Tree (No Signs) | Low | Start preventative injections to ensure long-term survival. |
| Woodpecker Blonding in Canopy | High | Immediate assessment by an arborist; treatment may still be possible. |
| D-Shaped Holes & 50%+ Dieback | Critical | Schedule removal immediately; tree is likely structurally unsound. |
| Ash Tree Near Power Lines | Extreme | Contact a professional for safety evaluation and utility coordination. |
| Dead Ash with Brittle Branches | Critical | Keep people away; prioritize for emergency removal. |
Final Advice
Managing the Emerald Ash Borer in 2026 requires a definitive shift from reactive to proactive thinking. In Stearns County, the window for simple, low-cost intervention is closing rapidly as the infestation density reaches its peak. To protect your property and the local canopy, consider the following expert recommendations:
- Conduct a Professional Inventory: Identify every ash tree on your property to determine which are assets worth saving and which are becoming hazardous liabilities.
- Prioritize Trunk Injections: For high-value shade trees, professional trunk injections are the only scientifically proven method to provide nearly 100% protection against larval damage.
- Hire Licensed Applicators: Treatments must be handled by pros to ensure the correct dosage reaches the upper canopy and bypasses damaged vascular tissue.
- Recognize the 30% Rule: If a tree has lost more than 30% of its canopy, it is likely too late for treatment and should be slated for removal to prevent structural failure.
- Understand Wood Brittleness: Dead ash wood becomes “brittle” and can shatter without warning. Removing these trees early is significantly safer and cheaper than a post-storm emergency job.
- Avoid Emergency Premiums: Waiting for a storm to force a removal increases costs due to the high risk to crews and the immediate need for specialized heavy equipment.
- Follow Quarantine Mandates: Stearns County is under strict regulations. Never move firewood or ash debris out of the area, and ensure your contractor follows all state disposal protocols.
- Plan for Diversity: When replanting, choose a variety of species like Oak or Hackberry to ensure a future pest cannot wipe out your entire landscape again.
Ultimately, the cost of biennial protection is a small fraction of the massive expense required to remove a large, dead specimen tree. Taking action today ensures that your property remains safe, your liability is minimized, and the natural beauty of Central Minnesota is maintained for the next generation. Professional assessments are a necessary part of responsible property ownership in the EAB era—do not wait for a storm to force the issue.
Reviewed by a Certified Arborist
This article has been reviewed by a certified arborist to ensure all information meets industry standards.
