CINCINNATI (AP) - Officials say a tree growing naturally in southwest Ohio's Clermont County is the first new native species discovered in Ohio in almost 70 years.

The state Division of Forestry says a small, thriving population of sugarberry trees was found near the Ohio River communities of Chilo (SHY'-loh) and Utopia by state forester Brian Riley.

The tree was already known to grow in neighboring Ohio Valley states.

In a statement, Riley says each year a typically large, broad sugarberry tree can produce tens of thousands of red, pea-sized berries which are a valuable food source for migratory birds.

The last time a new native tree species was discovered in Ohio was in 1941, when the Mexican plum was found, also in Clermont County.

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