(via Councillor Shad Qadri)
The City is continuing with its removal of Ash trees as a result of the Emerald Ash Borer. The removal area for this location (Ladybird Park at 65 Sirocco Crescent in the Timbermere subdivision) is 0.7 hectares, and is concentrated on removing hazardous trees along the edge of the pathways and behind the homes.
For public safety reasons, identified areas of the park and pathways will be closed to the public during all ash tree removals.
Site preparation timing (debris/brush clean-up, invasive species control, etc): Winter and spring 2016
Maintained areas of the park will be cleared of small woody debris once the snow has melted and conditions are dry enough for equipment access.
Wood is good! Small to medium sized wood pieces within the woodlot are to remain on site to provide habitat for a wide range of wildlife and invertebrates, to retain growing sites for plants and fungi, to supply a slow release of nutrients to the soil, to absorb and retain moisture for the benefit of newly planted trees, to minimize soil compaction and to deter woodlot users away from newly planted sites.
Reforestation timing will commence in Fall 2016 planting season and the area of 0.7ha will be reforested. Typical reforestation species that will be considered are: red maple, sugar maple, silver maple, serviceberry, hackberry, white pine, burr oak, red oak, American elder, white cedar, basswood, nannyberry, large tooth aspen, trembling aspen, dogwood and speckled alder.
The Emerald Ash Borer is a non-native, highly destructive wood-boring beetle that feeds under the bark of ash trees. All species of ash are susceptible to attack, except mountain ash, which is not a true ash species. Since it was first identified in Michigan in 2002, EAB has killed millions of ash trees in Ontario and many parts of the United States. It poses a major economic and environmental threat to urban and forested areas.
It was confirmed in Ottawa in 2008 and its impacts can be clearly seen spreading from the St. Laurent area. Since the insect spends most of its lifecycle under the bark of trees, it can be easily moved with firewood or other tree materials such as nursery stock, logs, brush and larger wood chips. This insect is able to fly, but since its spread has been primarily along major highways and transport routes, it is clear that humans are the main vector of dispersal.
To learn more about the Emerald Ash Bore and the City’s strategy you can visit here.