County engineers warn of dying Ash trees that could block roadways; officials consider abatement options

County Engineer Mitch Rydl and Roadside Department Head Kent Grabill told the Audubon County Board of Supervisors on July 2 that several dying or damaged Ash trees on private property pose a risk of falling onto county roadways.

Rydl cited Iowa Code 331.384, which allows the county to require removal of diseased trees or dead wood where they constitute a public health or safety hazard. He suggested the county notify property owners by certified letter when trees are deemed hazardous and that the county could pursue abatement under the statute if owners do not act.

Grabill described operational options: maintainers from Secondary Roads would compile a list of concerning trees found along routes and prioritize the most dangerous for action, and the county could offer to remove trees for a labor and equipment fee if owners are unwilling or unable to act. "We need to prioritize the ones that present the most immediate danger to roadways," Grabill said when summarizing the plan to track and address hazardous trees.

The board did not adopt a formal abatement order at the meeting; supervisors discussed notification methods and a potential fee-for-service removal option and directed staff to follow up with maintainers and return recommendations.

Why it matters: falling trees can block roads, damage vehicles and threaten public safety; conveying the county’s plan to property owners clarifies responsibilities and potential costs. The county’s authority to require removal is anchored in state statute but requires procedural notice and follow-up.