One pest devastating tree population in the state will impact the view many have during the changing of the leaves each fall.

Dr. Paul Weihe at Central College says the emerald ash borer kills over 90% of ash trees it infects.

“When that insect comes into your neighborhood and attacks the trees, unfortunately a lot of those ash trees are going to be lost,” he says, especially those who planted the white ash varieties.

He’s hopeful better tree planting practices in the immediate will help diversify foliage in the state, which protects canopies from being devastated by pests or disease impacting a specific species.

“I’m really hoping people will follow what the guidelines the experts are giving us, and that’s the 30-20-10 rule,” Weihe says.

That means no more than 30 percent of trees in a community should be from the same plant family, 20 percent from the same genus, and 10 percent from the same species.