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On July 25, 2008, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), with the help of the City of Ottawa, confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer (EAB) in Ottawa. The infested trees are located in the St. Laurent Boulevard and Highway 417 area. The City of Ottawa and CFIA are asking for the public’s help in watching for this small emerald-coloured beetle and signs of infestation such as thinning crowns, cracking bark, and D-shaped holes.
If you suspect you have this insect report it to the CFIA at 1-866-463-6017 or at www.inspection.gc.ca.
This invasive beetle does not spread quickly on its own. In fact, it is most commonly spread when people move materials which are infested with EAB such as firewood. With firewood: buy it locally, burn it on site, don’t bring it back home! Stop the spread of destructive pests – including EAB – by not moving firewood or other types of wood, including trees, nursery stock, pruned branches, logs and forest products with bark attached, from regulated and/or infested areas.
Ash trees are an important tree planted in backyards and on city streets. Homeowners can be vigilant in caring for their ash trees. You can examine your trees frequently to detect any signs or symptoms of possible invasive species. More information regarding yard-waste disposal will be available from the City of Ottawa for areas affected by EAB.
For woodlot owners there is no urgent need to cut healthy ash trees as EAB only causes damage to the wood a few centimeters under the bark. Your woodlot is still valuable and will continue to be productive in the future provided good forest management practices occur. Manage your woodlot by creating a forest management plan. Examine your woodlot frequently to detect any signs or symptoms of EAB. Landowners may consider a staged removal of ash trees to provide more growing space for other tree species. Before cutting trees, consult a forest practitioner for a proper forest prescription. It is also a good idea to consult with a forest practitioner before harvesting trees when a logger is offering to harvest your woodlot because of a threatening pest.
The Regional Forest Health Network is a recently-formed group of concerned organizations that are working collectively to create awareness about invasive forest insects, provide sound information and give guidance to tree owners. The Regional Forest Health Network is represented by the following organizations:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
City of Ottawa
Conservation Ontario’s Eastern Ontario Conservation Authorities
Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF)
Eastern Ontario Urban Forest Network
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
National Capital Commission (NCC)
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR)
Ontario Parks
Ontario Stewardship Program’s Eastern Ontario Stewardship Councils
Tree Canada
For more information:
See attached Fact Sheet
CFIA 1-866-463-6017 or www.inspection.gc.ca
Jim McCready, R.P.F.
Chair, Regional Forest Health Network / President, EOMF / Program Forester,
Tree Canada
613-257-5853 or 613-567-5545 ext. 223
Jason Pollard
Forester, City of Ottawa
613-580-2424 ext. 16012