An invasive pest that kills ash trees has been found in the Iowa Quad Cities. Last week, the Iowa Department of Agriculture announced the discovery of the emerald ash borer in Davenport.
City arborist, Chris Johnson, says the infested tree was found on private property in southwest Davenport, near the Rockingham Road Hy-Vee. He's been looking for the emerald ash borer for five years.
And he became even more certain two years ago when it was confirmed in Rock Island.
Johnson says Davenport began implementing a plan two years ago, hoping to save at least some of its ash trees.
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During the past two years, Davenport has cut down 600 ash trees on city property - on boulevards, in parks, and on golf courses. And he estimates there are 34-hundred more.
This discovery means the emerald ash borer has been found in 24 Iowa counties.