St. Paul has begun the battle against the emerald ash borer.

The city has begun cutting down trees infested with the invasive beetle. They’re the first diseased ash trees in Minnesota to come down.

Forestry crews from the city Parks and Recreation Department on Monday cut down boulevard trees on St. Paul’s Long Avenue.

The infestation of ash borers was discovered last month in the St. Paul neighborhood. A quarantine was then set up on moving ash wood out of Ramsey and Hennepin counties.

Once workers finish removing trees on public property, officials will seek permission to remove those on private property, at state and federal government expense.