Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an Asian insect pest that are fatal to ash trees. There are approximately 2,000 ash trees on public property either in parks or in right-of-ways within Iowa City.
The City will not examine or determine a course of action for any trees on private property unless those trees have become dangerous or hazardous. For more information on the City's tree ordinance, view the City Code.
If a tree is exhibiting EAB symptoms, contact the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship State Entomologist at 515-725-1470 or entomology@IowaAgriculture.gov.
If you have a tree that is not exhibiting symptoms of EAB, but would like your tree to be evaluated, contact a certified arborist.

Watch this video to learn more about the history of the emerald ash borer, as well as the response plan the forestry division is putting into action as this invasive beetle moves into Iowa City.
Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan
Iowa City Parks and Forestry staff provided an update to the City Council in September 2018 about the status of the Emerald Ash Borer in Iowa City and recommended steps to address the ongoing situation.

An update to the Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan was also provided in 2016.
Tree Inventory
In 2016 and 2017, a team of arborists from Plan-It Geo, a geotechnical firm from Colorado, conducted a tree inventory, gathering data on the City's urban forestry, as well as mapping and cataloging the tree species. This inventory will yield information and mapping tools to help the Parks and Forestry Division better manage and maintain Iowa City's urban forest.

Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
- International Society of Arboriculture
- Iowa Tree Pests
- Emerald Ash Borer Information Network
- ISU Extension
- Iowa DNR
- Ash Borer Management Options
Tree Identification Sites
Contacts
- Mike Kintner, IDALS, 515-725-1470, Mike.Kintner@IowaAgriculture.gov
- Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) State Entomologist, 515-725-1470, entomology@IowaAgriculture.gov
- Robin Pruisner, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) State Entomologist, 515-725-1470, Robin.Pruisner@IowaAgriculture.gov
- Paul Tauke, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) State Forester, 515-242-6898, Paul.Tauke@dnr.iowa.gov
- Tivon Feeley, DNR Forest Health Coordinator, 515-281-4915, Tivon.feeley@dnr.iowa.gov
- Emma Hanigan, DNR Urban Forest Coordinator, 515-281-5600, emma.hanigan@dnr.iowa.gov
- Jesse Randall, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension Forester, 515-294-1168, Randallj@iastate.edu
- Mark Shour, ISU Extension Entomologist, 515-294-5963, mshour@iastate.edu
- Laura Jesse, ISU Extension Entomologist, ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic, 515-294-0581, ljesse@iastate.edu
- Donald Lewis, ISU Extension Entomologist, 515-294-1101, drlewis@iastate.edu
- Jeff Iles, ISU Extension Horticulturist, 515-294-3718, iles@iastate.edu