City staff prepare for emerald ash borer

According to city information, the emerald ash borer (EAB) is a highly-destructive, wood-boring beetle that feeds under the bark of ash trees. EAB has killed millions of ash trees in Ontario and throughout the United States, crossing the border since it was first discovered in Michigan in 2002.

In 2008, the insect was located around the St. Laurent Boulevard area, explains David Barkley, the city’s manager of forestry services, specifically within a two-kilometre radius around Ogilvie Road and Labelle Street, bordering Blair Road in the east.

“From where we saw them last year, we’re looking at a two-kilometre and five-kilometre range,” he continues. “Probably as far east as we’ve seen it is Blair Road and (Highway) 174.”

EAB was spotted throughout that area last summer, Barkley says so far this year “we haven’t seen a significant number of dead trees,” though adult bugs only started emerging late last month. Further testing throughout the rest of this summer will determine the level of EAB presence, he recounts, adding that it’s difficult to get estimates on its population because of the cold, wet weather.

“The insect appears to be very temperature-sensitive,” Barkley explains, meaning it’s less active during cool, damp days. “There were a few of the trees that didn’t leaf out this year were a bit of a surprise, but that’s the way this insect spreads.”

Most recently, the federal government – via the Canadian Food Inspection Agency – has effectively quarantined firewood, wood chips and ash logs or trees within the National Capital Region, he says, meaning wood can’t be moved outside Ottawa-Gatineau and the surrounding area in an attempt to combat the insect’s spread.

“Its main movement is through human activity,” Barkley adds.

The city planted 500 trees this spring around major arterial roads and in city parks, Barkley continues, placing them next to existing trees that will eventually be lost to the bug.

“We’re trying to get ahead of (the insect),” he adds. “We’re trying different things.”

Residents can play their part by planting new trees and not transporting wood or leaf matter, Barkley suggests, as well as keeping an eye out for EAB on their own property.

What they’re not suggesting is a hardline approach, he stresses, encouraging residents to contact a tree care company if there are concerns instead of simply cutting their ash trees. “(Residents) have time to wait and ensure you still have an ash tree,” he adds.

For more information, please visit www. ottawa.ca/residents/healthy_lawns/forestry/index_en.html