(Atlantic, Iowa) – Planning to replace a tree? Have questions about tree care or diseases? Attend the Cass County Master Gardener’s Tree Care Workshop on Saturday, March 23 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Cass County Community Center on the fairgrounds in Atlantic (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, IA 50022).

Iowa DNR District Forester Sarah Bell will give a presentation on native trees and current tree diseases and pest concerns, including emerald ash borer. Bell will discuss how to select appropriate trees for the area, including trees native to southwest Iowa. She will share helpful tree information and resources, as well as advise on how to select and purchase a new tree.

Following the presentation, Bell will lead a walking tour of the Cass County fairgrounds which will cover tree evaluation, pruning, and planting. Looking for symptoms of decay, weakly attached branches, splits, and root problems are examples of tree evaluation. Bell will also demonstrate tree pruning and planting a new tree as time and weather allow.

This workshop is open to the public. Cost to attend is $10. Find more information or register for the Tree Care Workshop by calling the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 or visiting www.extension.iastate.edu/cass. Preregistration is encouraged by Thursday, March 21 to ensure materials are available. A variety of resource materials will be available for participants to take home, and light refreshments will be available.

For more information about this event and other Master Gardener activities in Cass County, please call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132, stop by the office at 805 West 10th street in Atlantic, email Cass County Extension Director and Master Gardener Coordinator Kate Olson at keolson@iastate.edu or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.  You are also invited to follow the Cass County Master Gardeners Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CassCoMG to keep up with local events and tips for gardening!