State forestry experts say the Emerald Ash Borer has been discovered for the first time in a rural woodland area in five southern Iowa counties.
State Forester Paul Tauke says the borer infestation was found by a forestry contractor who discovered many dead ash trees in Lucas County. The infestation was also found to have spread into nearby Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, and Appanoose counties. There are now 18 confirmed counties with an E-A-B infestation and the latest discovery marks a new level for the infestation.
There have been some treatments that appear to be helping tree owners protect individual ash trees, but Tauke says those treatments aren’t the answer for large woodland owners.
The infestation in southern appears to have been in place for several years and could include miles of trees. D-N-R forest health specialist Tivon Feeley says the cost of this infestation will be in the millions before it is over.
A statewide quarantine was issued in February of this year restricting the movement of hardwood firewood, ash logs, wood chips and ash tree nursery stock out of Iowa into non-quarantined areas of other states as a way to try and prevent the movement of the beetle.
