Halting the Spread of the Emerald Ash Borer
On February 2, the City of Ottawa’s Forestry Services staff began removing trees infested with the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) as part of its ongoing EAB management strategy.
The first trees were removed from a property on Claude Avenue.
Further tree removal will take place at locations in wards 11 (Beacon Hill-Cyrville), 13 (Rideau Rockcliffe), 16 (River) and 18 (Alta Vista).
It will take forestry staff an estimated six weeks to remove approximately 700 trees from 23 City properties. In Ward 11 (Beacon Hill-Cyrville), trees will be removed from Kenaston drainage ditch (75 trees), Marchant Park (10 trees), Kenaston Street (4 trees), Palmerston Park (4 trees), Matheson Road (29 trees), Ogden Street/Adley Road (33 trees), Cadboro Road (15 trees), and Charlton Drive (26 trees).
Work will generally take place between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. when weather permits. In the spring when the ground has thawed, Forestry Services will return to remove the stump of the tree.
The Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect that kills ash trees was discovered in Ottawa in 2008. The presence of EAB is a very serious threat since 20 to 25 per cent of the City’s forest cover is ash species.
Council approved the Emerald Ash Borer Management Strategy in November 2008. The City’s EAB management strategy is to help slow the spread of EAB tree removal in winter months, when the insect is not active, to reduce the risk of spread. The City’s management strategy also includes tree planting, tree protection, and controlling wood movement.
Ottawa residents can also play a significant role in protecting the City’s ash trees. The Emerald Ash Borer is most commonly spread when infested wood, such as firewood, is moved through the community.
If it is necessary to move wood from your property, especially material originating from ash trees, please consult federal government regulations.
For information on the City’s strategy to manage the impact of EAB, please visit the City's web page or call 3-1-1.
For information on Federal Government regulations to slow the spread of ash wood and EAB, visit inspection.gc.ca.