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1. When should I prune my oak tree?

The best time of year to prune oak trees is from late fall until the end of March, when oak wilt disease is dormant and there is no risk of infection. If your oak tree is pruned at any other time of the year, some type of sealant should be applied to all pruning wounds to prevent oak wilt infection. Pruning paint is effective along with any latex paint. This same time period is also appropriate for trimming other species of trees, when insects and disease are dormant.

2. How do I report a spill?

To report a spill, please call 911 or Dakota County Dispatch at 952-322-2323

3. How often should I water my tree?

It is recommended to water trees about one inch per week. It is best for turf and trees to water for longer periods of time and less frequently to develop deeper root systems than it is to water daily for a short duration, which best supports unwanted molds and fungi.

4. Who maintains the trees within the public road rights of way?

Property in the public rights of way, including trees, is the responsibility of the adjacent roadway owner. The City of Apple Valley is responsible for city streets. Dakota County is responsible for rights of way along County Road 42, Pilot Knob Road, parts of Cedar Avenue, and McAndrews Road. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is responsible for rights of way along Interstate 35E and parts of Cedar Avenue. Some rights of way are privately owned, such as those in many townhouse complexes. The rights of way along most residential city streets extend thirteen feet behind the concrete curb. Many trees are located in the rights of way along city streets, and the Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining them.

5. How do I find my property boundaries?

Property boundaries are originally identified, recorded, and marked with irons at each corner, or change in line direction, at the time a parcel or lot is platted. A three-quarter inch diameter iron pipe with a plastic cap is commonly used as an iron marker. Sometimes the irons are destroyed during grading and construction activities and cannot be located. Property line measurements can be found on the Dakota County website.

Dimensions shown on the Dakota County GIS page are rounded off and generally accurate within the nearest foot or two. Using the recorded information and a metal locator (iron), it is often possible to find existing iron markers to determine property lines. The other option is to hire a licensed land surveyor to locate and mark your property lines.

6. Why is the water in my pond green?

Green water in ponds is generally caused by excessive plant growth resulting from too much phosphorus in the water column. The three most common culprits are planktonic algae, filamentous algae, and duckweed. Homeowners can reduce phosphorus in local water bodies through several simple yard care practices.

7. How do I know if my fertilizer is phosphorus-free?

There are three numbers separated by a dash on every fertilizer bag. The middle number indicates the percent of phosphorus in the bag. The middle number needs to be 0.

8. What if my project doesn’t require a permit? Am I still responsible for installing erosion and sediment controls?

Whether or not an permit is needed, residents are required by city ordinance to contain sediment within the project area and to provide erosion control. Examples of perimeter sediment control devices are silt fences, biologs, mulch berms, and straw waddles. Erosion control devices include blankets, disc-anchored mulch, hydroseed, and turf-reinforcement matting.

9. Do I need a permit to landscape my yard?

Typically, no. A natural resources management permit will be required if you disturb 3,500 square feet or 20 cubic yards of soil or more. However, erosion and sediment controls may still be required.

10. How much of the tree roots can be disturbed before the tree will decline?

Tree roots grow to that of 2.5 times the height of the tree. The area under the canopy of the tree is commonly referred to as the critical root zone. Some tree species are more tolerant of root loss and disturbance than others. As a general rule, the minimal protected root zone radius should be 1-1.5 times the tree diameter measured at breast height (4.5 feet above ground). In other words, if a tree diameter is 10 inches, then the area under a tree needing protection is 10-15 feet out from the trunk in all directions.