A volunteer‑led tree program updated the council Monday on a multi‑year effort to protect city ash trees from emerald ash borer and to expand tree plantings across Bettendorf.

Bob Sartore, a Trees R Us committee member, told the council the volunteer program — which the group launched about seven years ago — has “succeeded” in keeping the city largely “out of the woods” with regard to emerald ash borer. He reported that, of 338 treated trees in one area near Veterans Park, about 305 remained; the program also planted dozens of trees at parks and public sites.

Nut graf: Trees R Us and city maintenance staff described a preventative and curative treatment strategy (soil injections for smaller trees, larger‑tree applications at multi‑year intervals), volunteer planting and watering protocols, and high survival rates for most park plantings. The group said efforts and careful tree selection have produced strong five‑year survival rates in most parks.

Program details reported
- Treatment and preventative care: Soil injections for small trees and larger curative applications for larger trees; annual treatment funds for preventative care reported at roughly $4,400 per year (presenter cited ongoing treatment cost to preserve trees).
- Planting and survival: Trees R Us volunteers and park staff have planted some 501 trees since a noted staff change; survival rates in most parks approach 90 percent, with Forest Grove cited as an exception because of site conditions.
- Volunteer activities: pruning, watering, tree guards and Arbor Day plantings with school involvement.

Council discussion
Councilmembers asked about watering responsibilities for newly planted trees at the Landing and other sites; staff said trees receive two years of contracted mulch and watering support, followed by maintenance and trunk guards coordinated by volunteers and park crews. Staff agreed to review construction contracts to confirm contractor watering responsibilities on projects that install new trees.

Ending: Council thanked volunteers and staff and asked for follow‑up on watering responsibilities in current contracts for recent construction projects.