The Cedar Rapids forestry department says that the Emerald Ash Borer is now considered to be widespread within the city. Officials say that means they're going to have to change the way they battle the destructive bug.

The city has announced that it will be providing more manpower for the removal of ash trees to try and get rid of as many dying and dead trees as possible in the coming months. The city is also warning homeowners with ash trees that they need to quickly decide on trying to treat and save their trees or have them removed.

Forestry crews worked hard this spring to try and prevent the spread of the ash borer to other areas of the city. It was simply too late. The city is removing between 150 and 200 trees per year under the current plan. Many of those trees were not infected but were determined to be vulnerable, so they were removed as a precaution. But with the infestation now widespread, even more trees will come down.

City officials want to triple the current workforce dealing with the ash borer. That could mean pushing back other work within the city to deal with the issue.

 

[via KCRG]

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