NeighbourWoods launches Save Our Ash Trees campaign

CENTRE WELLINGTON

Residents here may have heard that the emerald ash borer is in Guelph - and likely in this community as well.

The invasive pest that came into North America from Asia in 2002 and has already killed millions of ash trees in two provinces and a dozen states.  Once infected, a tree generally succumbs in two to three years, and so far, no ash tree seems immune. Ironically, in many communities, the ash was the street tree choice to replace the elm because, like the elm, it is a fast grower, is hard wood and tolerates tough conditions.

NeighbourWoods’ tree inventory of some 5,500 trees has found that there are about 200 ash trees in the community – although that does not include many blocks nor any trees in parks, trails or the GRCA land.

“While our percentage of ash trees is not as high as in some communities,  it’s safe to say that the borer will have a significant effect on our urban canopy within a few years,” said NeighbourWoods coordinator Toni Ellis.

When the Dutch elm disease wiped out most of the majestic elms, nothing could be done. However,  people can protect Ash trees with TreeAzin™,  -  developed by the Canadian Forest Service - which is a natural insecticide derived from the Neem Tree. Injected into an ash tree before it shows signs of decline, TreeAzin kills 95% of the ash borer larvae.  

The cost ranges from $100 to $500 depending on the size of the tree. However, it lasts two years, so homeowners who decide to save a favourite Ash tree will be making a long-term investment in their tree.  Ellis pointed out that “treating a tree three times, buys time to get a replacement tree established before the ash dies, so the loss to the street or yard will not be quite so devastating.”

There is some hope  that a natural ash borer predator may emerge eventually, so TreeAzin will not be required indefinitely for prized ash trees.

This spring, Elora Public School council and students there ran a successful danceathon, and raised enough money to treat 14 of their ashes three times – so by 2018  replacement trees should be a respectable size. Inspired the school’s commitment to their trees, NeighbourWoods is launching a fundraising campaign to save some of the best public ash trees. Various retail outlets have counter jars to collect spare change and letters are being sent to local businesses.

To find out how to help, or for more information about treating trees, call NeighbourWoods at 519-846-0841 or trees@eloraenvironmentcentre.ca.

June 29, 2012