The sixth round of ash tree and hazardous tree removal in the City of Washington will happen this fall and 30 trees will be cut down.

At the recent Washington City Council meeting the council approved three contracts for the work totaling $16,820. Building and Zoning Official Steve Donnolly explained the average cost is $560 per tree, down from $620 in the last round of removal. He adds, “Unfortunately it’s bad the trees have to go, but it’s a danger, we have to get them out.” The city will have approximately 90 trees left to remove on city property that are ash or deemed hazardous. The removal of ash trees is due to the emerald ash borer, which is now in 61 counties in Iowa.