July 1, 2015
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The presence of the Emerald Ash Borer has now been verified in the Town of Kincardine.
“We had a clear indication that the infestation had reached this area”, said Kincardine chief administrative officer Murray Clarke, “but we now know that it has been verified within the actual town area. Our team has developed a response protocol which is aimed primarily at dealing with trees that present a degree of hazard. Some of the trees that have already been infected will have to come down, while other options, such as possible treatment are being looked at with regard to prize ash trees within parks and other public areas.”
The Emerald Ash Borer is an insect that first made its appearance in the United States and Canada in the 1990s and has killed between 50 million and 100 million ash trees. Larvae bore into the trunks of trees feeding their way around, eventually girdling and killing the tree, said Jim Penner, manager of forestry with Saugeen Conservation.
“It’s very destructive, resulting in the death of even large trees within a few years,” he said. "The insect targets all species of ash trees."
An Emerald Ash Borer Working Group has been established in Grey and Bruce counties to monitor and track this invasive insect. The working group consists of representatives from both counties, as well as the City of Owen Sound, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the National Park Service and both Grey Sauble and Saugeen Valley conservation authorities.
In addition to tracking and monitoring, the group has held several workshops and educational opportunities. The working group initiative is sponsored by Bruce Power.
“We’re just about to begin treatment services again this year to landowners throughout the two counties," said Penner. “It makes it difficult because we have only a small window of opportunity in which to provide the inoculation services. The process must be done between June and the end of August to ensure that eggs and/or larvae have been destroyed."
The treatment provides protection for highly-valued ash trees for up to two years, upon which time application may have to be repeated, depending on conditions. The process can take a few minutes or a few hours, depending on weather conditions, wind speed, tree size, etc. Costs range between $100 to $500 per tree. The actual procedure utilizes a product called TreeAzin, which degrades naturally within the tree tissues and does not pose health risks to either people or wildlife.
Saugeen Conservation reminds people NOT to move firewood. This has been proven to be one of the most common means of moving this insect from one location to another.
For more information, contact Penner at Saugeen Conservation, 519-367-3040, Ext. 233; or Donna Lacey, Ext. 231.
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