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Combating the Emerald Ash Borer By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Infestation by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) will force the Town of Oakville to cut down approximately 8,700 ash trees in its parks and along its roads over the next half a dozen years. The sad news was recently delivered in a report by Town's Parks and Open Spaces Department to Oakville Town Council. The Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive, metallic green-coloured beetle, destroys an ash tree's vascular system by tunneling its way underneath the bark and killing the tree within years, if left untreated. The tiny insect is expected to cost Canadians billions by killing trees, which must then be cut down for safety reasons. The Town of Oakville has approved a budget of $1.4 million to fight EAB in 2012. "Previously an inventory and assessment of municipal ash trees located on roads and tableland parkland has been completed. It identified 14,500 ash trees in these areas," stated John McNeil, the Town's forestry manager, in the report to council. "Staff will be treating approximately 5,800 ash trees (with bi-annual bio-insecticide injections) as they meet a certain size criteria and overall health. This will preserve 75 per cent of the municipal treatable ash canopy. However, this does leave approximately 8,700 ash trees to be removed and replanted," reported McNeil. "Based on our current knowledge, it is recommended these 8,700 trees on streets and parkland be removed over the next six years to ensure they do not become a safety hazard." Trees removed one year are usually replaced the following planting season depending on stumping. Council also heard that in 2011, the Town inventoried municipal woodland ash trees in 280 woodland park properties (109 of them over a hectare in size) covering 70 hectares. The results show there are approximately 44,000 ash trees in Oakville's woodland parks. It is not known how many of these ash John McNeil, forester Town of Oakville 27 · Friday, May 4, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com "Based on our current knowledge, it is recommended these 8,700 trees on streets and parkland be removed over the next six years to ensure they do not become a safety hazard." PHOTOS COURTESY THE TOWN OF OAKVILLE FIGHTING BACK: Town of Oakville employees treat an ash tree to combat the infestation and spread of the Emerald Ash Borer. Below, left, a tree evidencing the presence of the borer. At right, the borer, itself, an insect that has a shiny green colouring. trees require attention and Town staff stated their action in woodlots will be limited. "In the case of woodlands, there are many ash trees that will not require any action due to their location within the woodlot. However, EAB-infested ash trees located along public trails and those in close proximity to residents' private property create safety concerns and ultimately will require removal," reported McNeil. "Treatment of ash trees in woodlands is not operationally feasible and affected canopy is expected to be replaced through silvicultural practices based on a forest management approach." To cover costs of removing dead ash trees from these woodlots, Town staff are looking See Town page 33 PRESENTS FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL LARGEST CANADA'S JUNE 14-17, 2012 905-333-6364 Burlington Downtown and Waterfront Father's Day Weekend FESTIVAL HOTLINE soundofmusic.ca PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS FOR SOIREE 2012, LINE-UP RELEASE PARTY, MAY 11!