The City of Greater Sudbury’s ash tree replacement project is well underway and on track, according to a report tabled for a May 21 operations committee meeting of city council.
According to the report, by city operations engineer Tony De Silva, the effort’s timeline stands firm and it remains on budget, half of which funded by the federal government.
The effort tackles the invasive emerald ash borer, which has infested trees throughout Greater Sudbury, necessitating the removal of 1,500 affected trees on municipal land.
As of Feb. 7, contractors with Arborworks Tree Service and Kodiak Tree Services had removed and stumped more than 1,000 ash trees adjacent to city roads and Greater Sudbury Housing sites.
An estimated 500 additional tree removals were underway at cemeteries and parks, with their removal anticipated to be completed this summer.
These felled trees will be replaced with “a variety of different species,” according to De Silva’s report, with 800 to be planted this year and the 700-tree balance to be planted in 2026.
“Diversity in tree species selection is viewed as a very important aspect of the replanting program,” according to De Silva’s report. “Diversity will allow the urban forest to build resilience to climate change, future disease, and insect infestations.”
The city’s approved tree species include Amur maackia, various species of crabapple, American elm (only hardy and disease-resistant), ginkgo, hackberry, hawthorn (thornless), ironwood/hop hornbeam, Japanese lilac, basswood, littleleaf linden, honeylocust, red maple, red and silver maple cross, sugar maple, burr oak, red oak and showy mountain-ash.
There are some restrictions on some of these trees outlined in the city’s street tree policy to ensure they suit and improve the areas they’re planted.
“Consideration will be given to native tree species that are expected to thrive in the Greater Sudbury environment, their climate change resistance, balance growth cycles, minimal sightline impedance (street trees) and esthetics (parks and cemeteries),” according to De Silva’s report.
Prohibited tree species include Manitoba maple, walnut, chestnut, poplar, willow, cherry, silver maple, most elm, evergreens and any fruit-bearing trees traditionally grown primarily for human consumption.
Of these prohibited trees, some are prone to damage from insects and diseases, others have substantial root systems that are cause for concern, and still others are listed as endangered species.”
The total project cost is $1.75 million, including $1.2 million for tree removal and $550,000 for replanting. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies grant using federal funding is covering half of this total cost.
Although it’s anticipated that all 1,500 trees are planted by the end of 2026, $58,000 in work has been scheduled to take place in 2027, “for maintenance and monitoring of newly planted trees,” which could include such things as replanting trees that didn’t survive or got damaged.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.