Oakville holds open house on Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)-related tree cutting
EAB open house Jan. 11 at Oakville Town Hall

insidehalton.com
By Marta Marychuk
Jan. 6, 2016

The Town of Oakville is holding an open house Wednesday, Jan. 11 for residents to learn about plans to remove dead and dying trees impacted by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) from municipal woodlands.

The forum will run 6-8 p.m. at Town Hall located at 1225 Trafalgar Rd.

EAB is an invasive insect from Asia that attacks and kills untreated ash trees. The Town has a strategy to detect and manage EAB in Oakville and this winter is embarking on the third year of its Woodlands Abatement Program.

“We encourage residents to come to the open house and talk with our forestry experts to learn how EAB has affected our woodlands and how they will regrow,” said Chris Mark, Director, Parks and Open Space for the Town.

"We understand the loss of trees is of great concern to residents Aided by some replanting in selected locations, the woodland will naturally regenerate over time and will once again serve the vital role it plays in helping to promote a healthy community."

Notice to affected area residents

Woodlands with more than 50 per cent ash trees are the Town’s priority.

Once these woodlands are cleared, the Town will begin removing woodlands with less than 50 per cent ash trees. Trails may be temporarily closed to the public while the work is being done.

After the trees are removed, logs, branches and wood debris are left on the forest floor to eventually break down into the soil and help shrubs and trees grow.

The Town will begin planting trees in select areas to help regenerate the urban forest.

Residents living near the affected woodlands are also receiving notification that during operations, affected woodlands will be closed to the public.

Residents are also being forewarned that “there will be a significant change in the appearance of the woodland due to the high proportion of canopy loss caused by EAB.”

Notices go on to state, “We understand the loss of trees is of great concern to residents. Aided by some replanting in selected locations, the woodland will naturally regenerate over time and will once again serve the vital role it plays in helping to promote a healthy community.”

Oakville Town Hall is located at 1255 Trafalgar Rd.

For more information about the town’s EAB management program, visit the trees and woodlands page on the Town’s website.