Earlier this year, the Emerald Ash Borer made its appearance in Iowa, and as KNIA KRLS News reported, it is a destructive pest that will kill ash trees. Karen Ackley, Ag and Horticulture Assistant at the ISU Extension Office in Marion County says the office has been getting a lot of calls because ash trees in the area are declining. She says the Emerald Ash Borer has not been detected in Marion County, and DNR foresters have determined the decline is due to environmental conditions. She says two or three very wet years were followed by a couple years of drought, and last winter was extremely hard on trees. If you have questions, contact the Extension Office for more information.