If a tree falls in the forest...

If you have walked around the nation’s capital in the last couple of years, you no doubt have heard the sound of chain saws and wood chippers.

An invasive insect known as the Emerald Ash Borer has played havoc with the ash trees in the area, forcing the National Capital Commission (NCC) to develop a strategy to combat the infestation.

The NCC will first remove affected trees that pose an immediate threat to public safety in the region.

This includes trees on rental and commercial properties, in public parks and along the NCC pathway and parkway corridors. Dead trees located away from the public will be left to decay.

The NCC has removed over 15,000 ash trees in these areas since 2013.

A program of stump removal and replanting will follow the removal of dead trees. 

“The NCC has undertaken tree planting since 2011,” said a spokesperson for the NCC in an email interview. “The bulk of our replanting efforts will begin once the health and safety concerns related to the removal of dead ash trees has been completed. Each site and park is unique, and a park that has lost significant tree cover will need to be evaluated, as part of a comprehensive replanting strategy, to ensure we are planting in the best possible locations with the best possible species based on that site and its uses.  We aim to plant a variety of species on each site to ensure long-term continuity in the case of other invasive pests that might create pressure on one species or another. As a part of the 2016-17 planting program over 20 different species of trees were planted ranging from maples, oaks, birch, pine and hemlock among others.”

What can the public do to limit the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer?

The NCC recommends not moving any firewood across any significant distance; buy firewood locally and burn it all before you leave your campsite or cottage; report suspected infestations to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at 1-866-463-6017.

The Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in Canada in 2002. It is believed they arrived in shipping crates from Asia. Since then, the insects have killed millions of ash trees in North America. Although it does not pose a risk to human health, it does pose a significant economic and environmental threat.