Red Oak — Emerald ash borer (EAB), the ash-tree-killing insect, will be the focus of a meeting Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in Red Oak at the Fairgrounds Gold Building, 1809 4th St.
The informational meeting is open to the public and hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
"These meetings are designed to provide helpful, usable information to prepare for one of the most destructive insects to hit the urban forest in decades,” said Mark Shour, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach entomologist.
Experts will share EAB and ash tree information to help participants learn:
- How to identify EAB
- How to identify an ash tree
- Signs of EAB infestation
- If the tree is safe and if it is a candidate for treatment
- Treatment options
- History of EAB, how it spreads, and efforts to slow the spread of EAB
- Ash tree replacement options
EAB now has been positively identified in 29 Iowa counties, including most recently in Cedar Rapids.
The meeting is free and registration is not required. For more information about the meeting or if you are interested in having an EAB public meeting in your area, contact Shane Donegan at 515-725-8219 or Shane.Donegan@dnr.iowa.gov