Emerald Ash Borer 101 An introduction to a Bug Without Borders and - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Emerald Ash Borer 101 An introduction to a “Bug Without Borders” and effective management options

What is EAB? • Emerald Ash Borer ( Agrilus planipennis ) • Non-native invasive insect with NO natural predators in Ontario. • Approx 3.5mm wide and 8-15mm long • Originated in Asia • Came to N. America via shipping crates and dunnage. • First noticed in 2002 near Windsor, ON

• Regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. • Multi-agency approach involving the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), Canadian Forest Service and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture. • EAB affects everyone and comes with a price

What trees will EAB attack? EAB attacks all species of true Ash trees (genus Fraxinus ) Green Ash Black Ash White Ash EAB is predicted to kill 99.9% of all Ash trees if nothing is done!! North American hosts

A Deadly Cycle

What are the symptoms?

How does EAB move around? • Natural spread  adult beetles can fly up to 3km but typically only 100m • Human assisted spread  Firewood  Nursery stock  Pallets  Logs

What’s the BIG deal?!? Toledo, Ohio - difference from 2003-2009 Ottawa, ON - 2011

How fast will trees decline? • 2-4 years with lighter populations • 1-2 years with heavy EAB populations • As quickly as one growing season!

Ash Tree Distribution

EAB Distribution 2006

EAB Distribution 2014

CFIA regulated areas – 2013

CFIA regulated areas – 2014

EAB leaves a lasting impression! Before EAB After EAB

Treatment options? • Inject with a systemic insecticide. • TreeAzin product of choice • Bioinsecticde with an active ingredient extracted from Neem tree seeds. • 2 year protection against EAB. • Poses minimal risk to:  applicators, bystanders, and pets  bees, birds, and mammals  soil and aquatic ecosystems

How effective is TreeAzin?

How long do we keep treating?

So what’s everyone else doing?

City of Peterborough Peterborough’s Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan which will guide the City over the next 10 years includes: • Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment; • Treatments; • Tree Removals; • Tree Planting; • Wood Waste Disposal; and • Public Education and Communication.

Primary objectives of plan • Ensure Public Safety and Minimize Liability • Mitigate the Loss of Significant Ash Trees • Maintain the City’s Tree Canopy • Provide Public Education and Awareness

What are the options? Option #1 – Do Nothing and REMOVE everything Option #2 – Treat Everything Option #3 – Hybrid Plan - treat the best, remove the rest

Managing the fiscal hit The Hybrid Plan has been adopted by The Society of Municipal Arborists as the best management option.

Where do we go from here? • Continue to manage the inherent risk that your trees present. • Continue taking steps to mitigate the impending liability brought on by EAB. • Continue to develop and adopt an effective and efficient EAB Management Plan. • Continue to be good stewards of our urban forest!