(via Councillor Shad Qadri’s weekly newsletter)
In last week’s column, I shared news that Ladybird Park in Timbermere subdivision would undergo tree removal due to the hazard of the Emerald Ash Borer. Continuing in line with this program, removals will also be taking place in the parklands behind Springbrook Drive and Greer Street. Removals taking place along the pathway from the footbridge to Paul Lindsay Park will likely be done at a later date with smaller logging equipment. It is anticipated that the crews will commence removals in this area starting on February 16th, and it will likely take the full week to complete.
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.