On October 16, 2018, officials from the City of Owen Sound and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) sampled 3 boulevard ash trees in the 1000 block of 2nd Avenue East that were observed to be exhibiting symptoms of possible Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation. Laboratory tests confirmed the samples are EAB larvae.
In 2013, the City began placing EAB traps in an attempt to identify the presence of the bug within City limits. Trapping continued until 2017. No EAB specimens were caught within City limits over this period.
In 2014, the City proactively developed it’s Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan in response to the known advance of the pest from Southern Ontario towards our area. The plan provides direction for a 10 year period and includes inoculating environmentally and culturally significant ash trees and strategic removal of trees that are not selected for protection. The plan includes strategic direction for additional tree planting initiatives to preserve and replenish the urban canopy.
In 2015, the City completed a tree inventory of trees on City boulevards and parklands. Using the data collected the City is able to monitor significant, healthy ash trees, and initiate strategic removals of lower quality trees.
As a preventative measure, in 2016, the City initiated a bi-annual Emerald Ash Borer inoculation program on 85 selected trees distributed throughout the City’s park system and street trees. In 2018 the City added 20 trees to the program and inoculated 105 trees in August.
Signs of infection include crown defoliation, D shaped exit holes in the tree trunk and epicormic shoots growing at the base of the tree.
This is not the first detection of EAB in our area. It was confirmed in Meaford in 2013, and Georgian Bluffs in 2016. The current area regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Area (CFIA) to prevent movement of certain wood products from a regulated area to a non regulated area extends beyond the Bruce Peninsula.
This is the first confirmation of the presence of EAB within the City limits of Owen Sound.
Following the plan, based on the degree of infestation and health of the tree, ash trees on City lands will be removed on a risk management basis within 12-18 months of tree death or significant decline. Wood from infested trees will be disposed of following best practices recommended by the CFIA. Tree replacements will occur after removal on a 1 to 1 basis.
Private property owners should inspect ash trees regularly for the formation of epicormic shoots, D shaped exit holes, and defoliation at times of year when trees should be in full foliage. If a property owner suspects their tree is infested, they should contact a qualified arborist for an assessment.
Property owners who wish to protect their ash trees should contact a qualified contractor with a valid pesticide applicator’s license and who has been trained to inoculate ash trees against EAB for an assessment and quote.
For more information on EAB and the damage they cause to Ash tree species visit the Province of Ontario’s Emerald Ash Borer information page, Ontario’s Invasive Species Awareness Program or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s EAB page.
source: media release, City of Owen Sound
