Spencer, IA (KICD)– The City of Spencer held a public meeting on Wednesday to talk about the Emerald Ash Borer, a pest native to Asia, which was confirmed earlier this year in at least one tree.

The meeting was facilitated by Mike Kintner from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship who talked about what homeowners can do to protect ash trees on their property from the beetle that is almost always fatal.

Parks and Recreation Director Jared Elbert also broke down the beginnings of the City of Spencer’s plan for treating and removing the 22 hundred trees on public property.

Kintner says now is the time to start treating through most of Clay County following the recommendation to do so for those within a 15 mile range of a confirmed case of Emerald Ash Borer. Additional information on treatments and what to look for can be found at iowatreepests.com.