Pesticides ‘shatter’ leaves of Iowa’s state tree

By: Tom Foley

Outlets: Iowa Capital Dispatch

Published: June 19, 2026

Words: 1,073

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

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In 1996, Tony Singh began rewilding a plot of land in LeClaire, hoping to restore its oak savanna, native prairie, woodlands and wetlands.

Less than five years later, he noticed the leaves on his oak trees were in tatters.

“When the leaf is coming out, if it is natural, it’s a beautiful thing,” Singh said. “But then they start spraying this pre-emergent herbicide, and the leaves get completely shattered.”

Over the last 20 years, Singh …

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