The Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed in Ames by the Iowa Department of Agriculture. The ash tree-killing insect, reported in Story County several years ago, was found in west Ames in an ash tree on private property. The City Council approved an EAB response plan in 2014 that calls for a phased treatment and removal process for public ash trees. The city says there are more than 2,300 of the trees in the public right-of-way, park areas, and city-owned facilities. Ash trees represent 16 percent of all public trees in Ames, which is higher than the 10 percent recommended for ideal diversity. The city has established a 20-year tree removal and replacement strategy in response to concerns with ash trees.