Update on ash tree removal in Timbermere and Amberwood

We’ve had a few questions from readers about tree removal in Stittsville over the past couple of weeks.  City forestry crews cut down ash trees in Lady Bird Park in Timbermere and Amberwood that were infested with the Emerald Ash Borer.

Here’s an update from Councillor Shad Qadri on the work so far, and what’s to come:

Lady Bird Park, Timbermere: The City Forester has advised that crews are removing ash, those poplar trees that have hypoxylon canker (this canker creates a weak spot in the tree and are prone to failing in storm events) as well as the invasive shrub called buckthorn. The trees the contractor are removing have been marked and they do not remove other non-marked trees unless it is necessary to get access to the larger hazardous ones.

The forester was onsite yesterday (Monday) and advised the operator not to remove the smaller diameter stems (those that would not be considered hazardous) near the fenceline if it will result in the removal of desirable shrubs. The larger logs will be removed from the site and the brush ground down and a planting plan is being prepared by our Landscape Architect.

Amberwood / Amberway Parkland: 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.

In regards to this tree removal, the City Forester has advised that unfortunately some live trees need to be removed in order to get access to the large dead ash that we need to take out.

The forester was also at this site yesterday and advised that some have been removed and that they have advised the contractor to ensure they are not removing these trees unless there is no other option to access the hazardous ones. The site is being cleaned up as much as possible now but crews will be back in the spring to do a final clean up of debris prior to the area being replanted.

The City does have a reforestation program for areas affected by Emerald Ash Borer. Planting should start this fall. Typical reforestation species can include 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.