NORTH BAY — The emerald ash borer has infested many ash trees in the city and now an effort is underway to remove those trees from parks and municipally-owned properties.
Work has started to identify and inventory infected trees throughout the city.
Trees that are cut down will be replaced on a one-to-one basis with a variety of species in order to minimize any future invasive species-related risks according to a news release.
A number of infected ash trees have been identified in Lee Park. They will be removed starting today in order to prevent unsafe conditions as part of the installation of new playground equipment.
See: Work starts on Lee park playground
Typically, the emerald ash borer has been present for at least two years before signs of infection are visible.
First detected in Ontario in 2002, the emerald ash borer is an invasive insect from Asia that feeds on all species of the ash tree. It attacks both healthy and stressed Ash trees when its larvae tunnel through the tree’s vascular system which delivers water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the tree.
There is no known method to eradicate the wood-boring insect.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has prohibited the movement of firewood and any material made from Ash trees outside of designated areas under an Infested Places Order.
How to Identify Emerald Ash Borer
- Trees appear to be thinning at the crown, dead branches and yellowing of leaves.
- Adults emerge from a D-shaped exit hole between mid-May and late June.
- Adults are metallic blue-green.
- Bodies are narrow and 8.5 to 14 mm long.
- Larvae are a creamy white colour with a light brown head.
