JEO Consulting Group and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources worked together to present this report to the City of Independence about the trees within city limits.

This plan was developed to assist Independence with managing, budgeting, and future planning of their urban forest. Across the state, forestry budgets continue to decrease as a higher percentage of the budgets are devoted to tree removal. With the anticipated arrival of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive pest that kills native ash trees, it is time to prepare for the increased costs of tree removal, treatment, and replacement planting. With proper planning and management of the current canopy in Independence, these costs can be spread out over the years and public safety issues from dead and dying ash trees can be mitigated.

The full report can be found by clicking on Additional Info.