In a news release issued this week, officials say the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been positively identified in Appanoose, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion and Monroe counties in southern Iowa. That brings the total number of counties where the pest has been identified to eighteen.
The EAB kills all ash tree species and is considered to be one of the most destructive tree pests ever seen in North America. The discovery of this series of infestations started when forestry contractor found many dead ash trees with heavy woodpecker flecking while completing a timber stand improvement project on privately-owned woodland on the far eastern edge of Lucas County. The infestation appears to have been in place for several years. The larvae were located only 3/8 of a mile from Monroe County. EAB team members continued to examine trees in the area and additional larvae were found in ash tree on public property in Monroe County, near the Lucas site. In Marion County larvae were found in a heavily-flecked ash tree on State property on the edge of Marysville. In Appanoose County larvae were found in a tree along train tracks in Moravia. And, in Mahaska County larvae were collected from a tree on private property on the north side of Eddyville.
Eighteen Iowa counties now have confirmed EAB infestations. A statewide quarantine, issued on Feb. 4, 2014, remains in place and 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.
IAMU has placed additional information on the Forest Health page of our website.
Eighteen Iowa counties now have confirmed EAB infestations. A statewide quarantine, issued on Feb. 4, 2014, remains in place and 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.
IAMU has placed additional information on the Forest Health page of our website.
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