Sioux Falls warns property owners about dying ash trees
The city surveys 67,000 parcels each year and says emerald ash borer is driving more ash tree deaths on private property.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — ash tree hazards and city forest, street tree planting program update and, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Owners with ash trees face a choice: treat them or remove them before they become hazardous, while the city handles removals in the public right-of-way when needed.
A pest is reshaping Sioux Falls tree canopy.
City forestry staff said emerald ash borer continues to kill more ash trees on private property, raising the risk of dead or unstable trees across Sioux Falls. Their message to owners was direct: decide whether to treat ash trees or remove them before they decline further. The update came as staff described the city’s annual forest health survey, which checks 67,000 parcels for tree conditions and potential hazards.
That survey is one of the city’s main tools for finding problem trees before they fail. Staff said property owners are notified when hazardous trees are identified on private land. The city’s role changes when a tree sits in the public right-of-way. In those cases, staff said, Sioux Falls can remove the tree at no cost when removal is needed.
The broader issue is not limited to one season. Staff described emerald ash borer as an ongoing driver of tree loss, which means more owners will likely have to make treatment or removal decisions in the years ahead. The city’s survey and notification process will continue as part of that response, alongside removals in public spaces where the city is responsible. For residents, the next step is practical: know whether an ash tree is on your property, watch its condition, and be ready to act if the city flags it as hazardous.
Street tree planting program update and homeowner support
The next question was what comes after removal. City staff walked through Sioux Falls street tree planting program and answered common homeowner concerns, including sidewalk damage from roots, the value of replanting, and what support is available when residents want to put a tree back.
Staff said residents can use a permit process tied to a $100 voucher, a small but concrete incentive meant to help with planting. They framed replanting as part of rebuilding canopy over time, not just replacing a single lost tree. The discussion covered planting and maintenance, suggesting the city is trying to pair new trees with clearer expectations about care.
The timeline stretches well beyond one planting season. Staff outlined work through spring 2027, including upcoming planting and maintenance tied to the expanding program. For homeowners, that means the city is offering both a process and a schedule: permits, voucher support, and a longer runway for street-tree work already mapped out.
Forestry team outlines fall work
Josh Johnson opened with a fall overview of Sioux Falls urban forestry work and said the city’s forestry team has 10 full-time employees. He described their responsibilities as tree maintenance, planting, program administration, community education, and code enforcement before turning to Brian Peterson for more detail.
Staff overview and seasonal operations preview introduced the forestry team without new resident-facing action.
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