Ash trees coming down in east-end Stouffville
Yorkregion.com
May 3, 2016
By Ali Raza
The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is removing ash trees affected by the Emerald Ash Borer insect infestation in east-end Stouffville.
Only trees on local streets are being removed. Areas will include Park Drive from Manitoba Street to Millard Street, Greenwood Road from Millard Street to Alderwood Street, Alderwood from Greenwood to Millard, and Millard Street from Greenwood to Hawthorn Avenue.
Trees will be identified and removed in May and June. Replacement will occur 12 to 18 months after removal.
EAB is a small, green, wood-boring beetle native to China and East Asia. Resident’s needn’t fear the beetle since it’s only harmful to North American species of true Ash trees.
Because the beetle is difficult to detect, it poses a significant risk to Canada’s trees and forests. It can spread unhindered, as there are no natural predators in North America. The beetle has been responsible for killing tens of millions of ash trees.
The town plans to replace 1,000 boulevard trees from 2016 to 2020. Around 150 to 200 dead or dying trees will be removed and replaced per year.
Trees that will replace them are selected from an approved list of species suitable for boulevards.
