Iowa groves look sad

[2speedy1]

For the last couple weekends I had to take trips across the state of Iowa for various reasons.

It is really sad to see so many groves full of dead trees. Almost every stand of trees you see many dead trees.
The Emerald Ash Borer has decimated what is left of our states trees. Many of the trees planted to replace all the Elms after they all died were Ash trees, now all those are dead too. I remember specifically a time that Ash were recommended as replacements for Elms. There are complete groves or tree lines dead now. I would guess that most in Iowa are completely dead as of now, with those still hanging on, will be dead soon.

On top of that I seem many evergreen trees are dead or dying too, I dont know exactly what is causing that but it really is sad seeing so many dead.

I know this was coming for years, but this year is the first I really noticed just how many dead trees are showing up everywhere.

For those with Ash trees, what are you doing, are you still trying to fight and save your trees? What is the prognosis when treating, how successful is it? Are you going to just remove and replace? Then what about all these groves and tree lines full of dead trees? I guess those will eventually fall on their own and someday will be replaced by new growth of something else, but will be long after I am gone.

 

[exCYtable]

For the last couple weekends I had to take trips across the state of Iowa for various reasons.

It is really sad to see so many groves full of dead trees. Almost every stand of trees you see many dead trees.
The Emerald Ash Borer has decimated what is left of our states trees. Many of the trees planted to replace all the Elms after they all died were Ash trees, now all those are dead too. I remember specifically a time that Ash were recommended as replacements for Elms. There are complete groves or tree lines dead now. I would guess that most in Iowa are completely dead as of now, with those still hanging on, will be dead soon.

On top of that I seem many evergreen trees are dead or dying too, I dont know exactly what is causing that but it really is sad seeing so many dead.

I know this was coming for years, but this year is the first I really noticed just how many dead trees are showing up everywhere.

For those with Ash trees, what are you doing, are you still trying to fight and save your trees? What is the prognosis when treating, how successful is it? Are you going to just remove and replace? Then what about all these groves and tree lines full of dead trees? I guess those will eventually fall on their own and someday will be replaced by new growth of something else, but will be long after I am gone.

Just imagine if something ever gets to the maple trees. Planting diversity is critical.

 

[Turn2]

Oaks also look bad. Some select other species as well. The increased use of dicamba and the inability of farmers and coops to read, understand and obey labels is a huge part of the problem.

 

[pourcyne]

Oaks also look bad. Some select other species as well. The increased use of dicamba and the inability of farmers and coops to read, understand and obey labels is a huge part of the problem.

In the meantime, keep spraying them dandelions, Iowa.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

I had 2 Ash trees in my yard I had to cut down. One was absolutely gorgeous. That was a sad day

 

[JMA1125]

We have an ash tree that’s in great shape. We treat it every other year, per our arborist, and it has no signs of damage. We’ll keep treating it as long as we can.

 

[DoctorZ]

We also have a large, beautiful ash tree that we've been treating every other year for the past 6-8 years. It costs about $250 for each treatment, but I figure it's worth it.

 

[2speedy1]

Oaks also look bad. Some select other species as well. The increased use of dicamba and the inability of farmers and coops to read, understand and obey labels is a huge part of the problem.

Growing up we had an acreage with a grove and more than 100 trees in the yard, almost all being Oak, we would lose a few every year it seemed. At the time we were told it was Oak wilt. We also found a huge invasive vine that had taken over the grove and was choking off trees one by one. We tried to do something about the vine, but nothing really worked. It would shoot across the ground setting roots every place it touched the ground, at times it was several inches in diameter, bigger than a soup can and had bark of some sort.

Honestly I am really surprised there are still trees there, but there are, though I have no idea if that vine is still going or they are still struggling with whatever Oak disease was causing so many issues.

 

[FLYINGCYCLONE]

I have 4 ash trees that I planted. So far they look good. I am thinking about cutting one down to start replacing them.
My son has a huge Maple tree on his place. The county has pics that show the tree about 125 years ago.
My evergreen grove is starting to get beat up. Time to plan on starting over. I like evergreens over trees for groves.

 

[2speedy1]

I have 4 ash trees that I planted. So far they look good. I am thinking about cutting one down to start replacing them.

From what I have seen or been told it seems to happen fast. One year they are good then the next they are dead. I think my mom had a couple that had 1 year of really sick looking between but otherwise it seems to happen fast.

 

[ISUTex]

In the meantime, keep spraying them dandelions, Iowa.

View attachment 152095

I spread seed down in my yard every year and do a weed and feed. Dandelions still pop up. I never spray them though. I like dandelions in my yard. They look bad for a week of so. Big deal. Then comes the white clover. Love it. Grass still stays green and healthy.

 

[WartburgClone]

Just imagine if something ever gets to the maple trees. Planting diversity is critical.

I was going to say I'm pretty sure maples will be next.

On top of that I seem many evergreen trees are dead or dying too, I dont know exactly what is causing that but it really is sad seeing so many dead.

According to this the are only five evergreen species native to Iowa and 4 are confined to northeast Iowa. Only eastern red cedar is native statewide. The list of evergreens that perform well in Iowa is small.

 

[BuffettClone]

Just imagine if something ever gets to the maple trees. Planting diversity is critical.

I had an arborist tell me maples are the next in line to follow the elms and ashes. He advised against planting a maple

 

[chuckd4735]

From what I have seen or been told it seems to happen fast. One year they are good then the next they are dead. I think my mom had a couple that had 1 year of really sick looking between but otherwise it seems to happen fast.

Usually die from the top down. I had one in my backyard that was full all of 2023, and never sprout a leaf in 2024.

 

[WartburgClone]

Also people don't know how to properly plant trees in the first place. They bury the root flare and mound mulch up to the trunk. Can't tell how many visibly stressed trees I've seen while driving around and sure enough it's either planted too deep or buried under a mulch volcano.

 

[2122]

I was going to say I'm pretty sure maples will be next.


According to this the are only five evergreen species native to Iowa and 4 are confined to northeast Iowa. Only eastern red cedar is native statewide. The list of evergreens that perform well in Iowa is small.

Here's an idea: Rocky Mountain Douglas fir is a great conifer - I prefer it to spruce - and does well here in Albert Lea and probably in Iowa as well. The Arbor Day Foundation sells 'em cheap. I have 90 species growing here on six acres, really enjoy the diversity. Lotta work though!

Douglas Fir

Douglas Fir Trees - Photo by Bill Cook, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org The Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is native to the western mountain states. It has been planted widely in Iowa for ornamental and windbreak use.

naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu

 

[ackatch]

I think the big issue with the evergreens was the winter was so... Weird. We didn't get a hard frost until what? January? And wasn't December pretty dry? At least that's what I think my issue was with my arborvaties that died on me 2 years in a row.

 

[2speedy1]

I think the big issue with the evergreens was the winter was so... Weird. We didn't get a hard frost until what? January? And wasn't December pretty dry? At least that's what I think my issue was with my arborvaties that died on me 2 years in a row.

LOL, you might be my neighbor, although I doubt it.

He is on Year 3 of planting. First 2 years, arborvitaes, all died, this year Lilac... I think, which... look like will die.

In 3 years I have seen him water them 1 time I believe. Which was a quick spray with a hose. He put a gallon bucket of water on each of them when he planted them this year.

I want to say something to him so bad. Those trees need probably 5 gallons each every other day for at least the first year.

Best thing you can do is drill a few holes in a 5 gallon bucket and place one bucket at each tree, then every 2 or 3 days fill those buckets, so they slowly drain and water the tree so it can slowly soak it up.

Been looking at those wilted lilacs all summer wondering if he will take the hint, but I suspect he will be replanting again next spring.

 

[clones_jer]

I have Lindenwood gradually dying on me, apparently there's a borer for that too smfh. There's another healthy one about 50' away, I assume it'll be next.

I've just decided to plant every fall and hope I can outpace the ones in trouble. the fruit trees have been doing great - the oaks I planted are less so. this winter was warm but somehow seemed to be really hard on em.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

Our 3 acres of woods were logged back in the 1930s, so the biggest trees are probably 100 or so years old. There are about a dozen huge oaks, a bunch of lindens, lots of maple & locust, a little grove of Kentucky Coffee, and a smattering of other stuff, including walnut, shagbark hickory, mulberry, and a bunch of ash saplings. In the past 10 years we have lost all of our mature ash trees, and the two out in front of the house are sickly. We brought in a guy to take out 10 of the dead trees around the house, but the ones in the full woods we're letting live out whatever life they have left. It's sad, and I'm hoping that nothing comes along to wipe out any of the varieties we still have left.