Emerald ash borer
the emerald ash borer
The emerald ash borer (EAB) is one of hundreds of beetles belonging to the Buprestidae family. Although some of these “jewel” beetles are native to Quebec, the EAB is an invasive pest from Asia. Its presence was first confirmed in Rosemère in 2014. By the following year, specimens were found in most of the EAB traps set by the Town. Their population has spread quickly throughout the area and is killing a growing number of ash trees with each successive year. The EAB poses a serious threat to Rosemère’s urban forest, which contains over 10,000 ash trees, approximately 1,800 of which are located along our streets and in our parks, with the remaining 6,000 to 8,000 found on private property. This does not include the ash tree population in the wooded areas in our community. Natural Resources Canada figures put the mortality rate of EAB-infested trees at 98% within five years of initial detection in the surrounding area. It is therefore very important to do everything we can to protect the remaining tree canopy.
Support for managing ash trees on private property
In order to support your efforts to manage your ash trees and take action to preserve our urban forest, the Town has adopted a Policy on the Replacement and Treatment of Private Ash Trees. The policy takes a three-pronged approach: Treat – Plant – Cut Down. The aim of this approach is to slow and control the spread of EAB.
Treat
You can curb the spread of EAB using a
low-impact insecticide known as TreeAzin®. The current treatment recommendation is to apply TreeAzin two years in
a row, take a break the third year, and resume on year four. For a list of service
providers, go to bioforest.ca (note that the selected provider must also be on the
Town’s list of approved contractors). Financial assistance from the Town is
available to property owners to treat their trees. You can download a grant application
by clicking on the link from the list on the left. Note, however, that since
the infestation in Rosemère is at an advanced stage, very few untreated trees
qualify under this program. It applies mostly to trees that have been treated
over the past few years and are still healthy.
Plant
Residents are encouraged to replant new types
of trees to diversify the urban forest. A grant toward the purchase of new trees is available to help
residents meet their replanting obligations.
Cut Down
If you have any diseased ash trees on your property, you are responsible for having them felled. A permit is required and can be obtained from the Town free of charge. Do not wait until they become a hazard to remove them.
The Town has also scheduled extra branch pickup dates between April and November to make it easier for you to dispose of felled trees.
Why do your part?
- To protect your property, your household and your fellow residents.
- To prolong the life of part of the ash tree population to be able to plant a sufficient number of replacement trees to ease the overall impact on the ecosystem.
- To preserve the sustainability of our urban forest, which is vital to reducing air pollution, and create “cool islands,” which help mitigate urban temperature extremes.
Eligibility and forms
Please see the list of downloadable documents on the left for more information about program eligibility and to submit the necessary paperwork.
Tree planting in public spaces
To offset part of the loss
of these ash trees along streets and in parks, the Town intends to plant
1,000 trees of varying types over a five-year period. This measure is part
of an integrated EAB action plan that will allow the Town to replace 50% of the
ash trees felled during the same period and maintain the biodiversity of the
urban forest.
suggestions?
We are always interested in hearing from you. If
you have any ideas concerning EAB management, please let us know.
Working together for a healthier urban forest.