Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) EAB Information Affects weak and healthy - - PDF document

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

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EAB Information

• Affects weak and healthy Ash species.
• Beetles do not spread fast on their own; however

spreads quickly by movement of infested materials.

• Cannot be eradicated.
• Usually in area for 3-4 years before insect & tree

damage is detected.

• TreeAzin is a systemic insecticide that can be injected

into trees.

• Scientists believe that cold temperatures are resulting

in a longer development time for the EAB, 2 yrs for a complete cycle vs 1yr in the south.

• It is possible that research will soon have additional

control methods, so removing all Ash trees should not be an option.

• Having an inventory is key to an effective management

plan.

History

• First detected in Windsor, Ontario and

Detroit, Michigan in 2002.

• Currently 22 Region in Ontario are

regulated for the EAB.

• Regulation includes quarantine and

restricted movement and disposal of wood.

• Brantford - monitored areas with ash trees present,

provided information to residents and prepared a wood processing site to dispose of infested wood.

• Vaughan/ Ottawa – Completing an Ash tree inventory to

determine cost and future budgeting concerns should removals be required.

• Toronto – Removal of trees for research on larvae only.

Will use TreeAzin on some high value Ash trees.

• Pickering – Completing Ash inventory and only removing

dead or hazardous trees.

• Oakville – Completing an Ash tree inventory, treated a few

trees with TreeAzin as pilot project, removed infested trees, branch sampling and providing education to public.

• Burlington – Treating trees with TreeAzin, monitoring and

creating Ash tree inventory.

Other Municipalities

Oshawa

• Street tree inventory.
• Ash street trees = 3,117.
• Ash trees in Parkland = 3,500 estimate
• Ash trees in woodlots/ valley lands/ open space

estimated at 227,000.

• Ash trees on private property is unknown.
• Total Ash tree inventory estimated value =

$22.5 million.

• Staff visited infested sites and can identify insect

and damage.

Monitoring

• Forestry staff now trained
• MNR will continue support

Impact

• Street Trees
• Park trees
• Open space and woodlots

City’s Tree Canopy Coverage

• Total street trees = 30,000
• 22% total canopy coverage
• 10% are Ash trees
• Potential loss of 2.3% tree

canopy

• Significant Ash tree

mortality 5-7 yrs

Financial Impact

Toronto, (pop. 2.48million) 2011 estimate

– Surveys = $85,000 – Removal of City owned ash trees = $1,014,000 – Pesticide injection for protection of high value trees = $40,000

Oakville, (pop. 165,000) 2010 costs

– Council approved $50,000 for additional tree injections

Brantford, (pop. 90,000) estimated costs

– Branch sampling = $10,000 – Removal of ash trees on streets = $60,000 – Removal of ash trees in parks, trails, laneways = $60,000

Burlington, (pop. 164,000)

– Council has budgeted $11 million over next 10yrs

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

• Will inspect sites to confirm EAB.
• Infested areas will be quarantined and
• regulated. Durham Region is currently

under quarantine.

• Removal of infected trees is not

considered effective.

• Trees removed, stored & disposed of at

property owners expense.

• Provide education only.

EAB Status

• May 20, 2011 CFIA confirmed EAB in

Oshawa

• Staff monitoring for EAB
• Continue working with Ministry of

Natural Resources

Next Steps

• Meet with MNR and CFIA staff to develop plan
• Visit other municipalities
• Confirm park tree inventory
• Plan would include tree removal, protection,

financial implications, implementation schedule and education process to residents

• Report back to Committee and Council with

plan of action in the fall of 2011