Charles City Ash Tree Removal Wraps Up with Final Payment

The removal of some 900 dead or dying ash trees in Charles City is complete with the City Council’s approval Monday (10.21) of the final payment of just over $100,000 to Wilson’s Custom Tree service.

The Cresco-based company finished taking down 295 ash trees last month, which owner Jeff Wilson says was an important effort towards public safety.

Wilson says bringing down the ash trees was a coordinated effort.

In recent years, Wilson’s has removed 238 and 144 ash trees respectively in New Hampton and Cresco, with work also in Waverly and Cedar Falls.

Wilson says ash trees caught on after the demise of another popular tree.

Wilson notes that the wood from ash trees they take down does not go to waste, with the company supplying the firewood sold at many area convenience stores.

Contracts for the first two phases of ash tree removal were awarded to GDB and Sons of Charles City, for about $330,000, to take down some 600 trees.