The Town of Oakville is excited to reopen our doors as soon as we can safely do so. All public health guidelines remain in effect.
Fri, 30 May 2014
The Town of Oakville has proclaimed the first week of June to be Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Awareness Week and encourages all residents to stay informed about the invasive insect, learn about ash tree treatment and removal options, and take proactive measures to help conserve our tree canopy.
Mayor Burton made the announcement at the town’s recent Arbor Day event held at Sheridan Valley Park woodland, where 200 trees were planted after the loss of the ash trees due to EAB.
“Oakville is leading the way in EAB management,” said Mayor Burton. “We encourage residents to follow the town’s lead to treat or remove ash trees and plant new trees. By taking a proactive approach we can protect and enhance our tree canopy for future generations.”
EAB is infesting ash trees across Canada and the United States and is responsible for killing tens of millions of ash since its discovery in North America in 2002.
New information about the spread of EAB in Oakville is available on the town’s website, including a map illustrating that the current infestation levels in Oakville are high to extreme in many areas of the town.
“With 80 per cent of Oakville’s ash trees located on private property, it’s important for residents to make a decision now about the fate of their trees. Untreated ash on private property are dead or dying and becoming structurally unsound. Doing nothing is not a solution and puts public safety and property at risk,” said John McNeil, manager of Forestry Services.
McNeil makes the following recommendations:
The town is using the bio-insecticide TreeAzin® to treat municipal ash trees. Treatment is most effective when timed with the emergence of the adult beetles, which is early June in Oakville, and can be administered through to the end of August.
The town will continue its treatment of 75 per cent of the public ash tree canopy on streets and in parks this summer. For some trees, this will be the fourth treatment since Oakville first launched its EAB management strategy in 2008.
Municipal ash trees that did not qualify for treatment are being monitored by the town and will be removed from streets, parks and woodlands over the coming years to ensure public safety.
Residents are encouraged to like Oakville Canopy Club on Facebook and follow @OakCanopyClub on Twitter for EAB news, event announcements and useful information about tree care and protecting our urban forest.
For up-to-date information about EAB in Oakville visit EAB page.