Forest & Tree Health

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Iowa Forest Health
Forest Health Threats
Caring for a Sick Tree

Monitoring Projects
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Iowa Forest Health

The overall health of Iowa’s forests require monitoring not only our native plants and animals, but also invasive insects, plants, and weeds. Through a cooperative effort between the Iowa DNR, Iowa State University, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), USDA Forest Service (USFS), USDA Plant Protection Quarantine (PPQ), municipal foresters, and private landowners we are able to provide an efficient monitoring program to help us make appropriate plans to eliminate or manage pests in our wooded areas.

Forest Health Threats

Iowa DNR foresters conduct surveys and evaluations and monitor insects, diseases, invasive plants, and management plan of forested areas. This is done to determine the status, changes, and trends in forest health conditions.

Foresters use the data from ground surveys, aerial surveys, and other sources to develop comprehensive management approaches to address forest health issues that affect the sustainability of Iowa’s forest ecosystems.

Find yearly summaries of forest pests in the Forest Health Highlights below.

Caring for a Sick Tree

If you have a sick tree and need it tested for an accurate diagnosis, please visit the Iowa State University Plant Diagnostic Clinic:

Use the DNR Forest Health Monitor to track where pests are occurring in the State of Iowa.

There has been a drastic increase in calls to the Iowa DNR from landowner looking for the proper resources and assistance in diagnosing tree or woodland health issues. This web page has been set up to help landowners find those valuable contacts.

This assistance is a cooperative effort between Iowa DNR, Iowa State University, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), USDA Forest Service (USFS), USDA Plant Protection Quarantine (PPQ), and the International Society of Arboriculture.