A number of trees at Marion County Park have had to be cut down, after they were killed off by an infestation of insects.

Around forty ash trees fell victim to the emerald ash borer; Marion County Conservation Ranger Dave McKinney tells KNIA/KRLS News the trees had to be cut down once it became clear what they were infested with.

“We were pretty sure that it was the emerald ash borer right off; just looking at the D-shaped rings that were coming out of it, out of the bark and right in behind the bark. (And) the way the trees were reacting, dying off the top and little shoots coming out in between,” McKinney says.

Crews have been cutting down the dead trees for the past couple of months; these trees were located near picnic areas or other heavily-used locations, and falling branches would have posed a hazard.

McKinney says they’re buying replacement trees from a dealer in Dubuque, for about $9,000; they will be planting a variety of other species to replace the ash trees. It will take a few years for these new trees to fully grow.