The loss of the ash tree

CHCH.com
Oct. 19, 2016

Dozens of trees were cut down in Oakville today as the battle against an invasive species in the golden horseshoe continues. Oakville is just one the many municipalities hit by the emerald ash borer, with more than 43 000 ash trees dead or dying as a result. Within the next 10 years, more than 30 000 dead ash trees will be taken down in Oakville.

It’s a war the town and several municipalities in southern Ontario, have been fighting against for 8 years since emerald ash borer larvae was first found. While there are signs of the insect on the outside of the tree, the real devastation is seen underneath the bark. When the larvae feed, they create S shaped tunnels which stops the flow of nutrients to the tree, ultimately killing it.

The first phase of the project consists of removing trees, some as old as 90 that are deemed unsafe. The second phase consists of planting in significantly impacted areas, some of which contained 80% ash trees. To prevent this from happening again, they are planting a variety of trees. Since Oakville started the project two years ago, they’ve noticed the population of the emerald ash borer has significantly decreased.

The town expects 45 000 trees to be planted by the end of the 10-year project.