Ames Community Tree Program

The Ames community Fall 2023 tree planting will be Saturday, October 14th, from 9:00am to 11:00am. Planting will be in the Ontario Cemetery off North Dakota (access between Trail Ridge Rd and Phoenix St), where the day will begin with a planting demonstration.

Click here to sign up to volunteer for Ontario Cemetery 2023 Oct 14 Tree Planting

The Situation

The emerald ash borer (EAB) insect has been found in Story County and the damage it will soon inflict upon Ames' very large ash tree population is significant. Over the next five years, approximately 5,000 ash trees in public spaces scattered throughout the city must be removed and replaced.

Ash trees are common in Ames and can be found in practically every neighborhood. Their loss, coupled with costs associated with replacing them, presents a huge challenge for our entire community – and this is a challenge The Ames Foundation and the City of Ames have joined forces to address.

For more information about tree and EAB identification, and to read about the City's official response plan, we offer these resources:

• Ash Tree Identification (Cornell University Extension)
• Emerald Ash Borer Symptoms (City of Ames)
• Emerald Ash Borer Pest Alert (USDA)
• City of Ames EAB Response Plan & Resources

On August 10, 2020, the devastating central Iowa derecho caused widespread damage to Ames' tree canopy. It is estimated that over 300 trees were damaged in public parks and right of ways. Tree canopy replacement and recovery is expected to take up to 5 years.

The Partnership/Plan

In the spring of 2015, The Ames Foundation entered a multi-year partnership with the City of Ames to fund and plant trees to replace the ash that will be lost to the EAB. The Foundation’s primary role is to raise funds needed to help defray the cost of new trees and to organize interested citizens who will help plant and maintain these trees in our community parks, green spaces, and rights-of-way. Our ultimate goal is to secure private funding and volunteer support to plant an additional 200-250 trees per year above what the City is undertaking as part of its EAB response plan. This will ensure that Ames’ neighborhood canopies are restored in quicker order, with less impact on the tax base, and all while building a sense of pride and community with each planting.

Volunteering to Plant Trees

Directors of The Ames Foundation are excited and committed to working with the City of Ames on this important community betterment program. As a part of the tree planting program, volunteers have planted over 1,000 trees so far.

Please email us at amesfoundationprojects@gmail.com if you would be interested in future plantings. All are welcome to participate! 

Donating to the Ames Community Tree Program

Each planted/mulched tree is valued at $250 and we encourage donations in increments thereof. That said, all contribution amounts are welcome.

Note that dollars raised in response to this campaign will be directed, in full, to the Ames Community Tree Program. That said, your tax-deductible donation will be put right back into the community, also ensuring that that Ames’ neighborhood canopies are restored in quicker order, with less impact on the tax base, and while building a sense of pride and community with each planting.