Sudbury has announced a city-wide removal program for Ash trees located on municipal property. This comes after an infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), which has severely impacted Ash tree populations in Greater Sudbury and across much of eastern North America.
In a news release, Sudbury stated that only City-owned Ash trees are being removed, with approximately 1,500 affected trees situated beside roadways, in parks, cemeteries and Greater Sudbury Housing facilities.
The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a highly destructive invasive beetle that attacks and kills all species of ash. It has already killed millions of trees in North America. The emerald ash borer is most commonly spread through the movement of firewood and other infested ash wood products, although it can also spread by flying. Research shows that adult beetles can fly up to 10 kilometers. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency the emerald ash borer is present and regulated in:
- all of the southern and middle areas of Ontario, Quebec and New-Brunswick
- the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario
- the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba
- the city of Halifax, Nova-Scotia
- the city of Vancouver, British-Colombia
- the city of Burnaby, British-Colombia
Adult emerald ash borers are bright metallic green and are approximately half an inch long with an elongated body and head flat. The dorsal surface of the abdomen (underneath wings) is usually a bright red colour. Pupae are creamy white in colour and takes on adult colouration as it matures. The beetle’s larvae are 25 – 32 mm long at maturity, creamy white in colour, with a brown head and a flat, broad shaped body. It also has 10-segmented abdomen (bell-shaped segments) and a fork-like appendage on the tip of the abdomen.
Due to its small size, spotting the emerald ash borer isn’t easy, so look for the signs and symptoms of attacks on ash trees instead. Eggs are laid on the bark of branches, and you may be able to see S-shaped lines or bark deformity if the bark has been removed. Woodpecker feeding is another good indicator of an emerald ash borer presence. Dying or dead trees, particularly with bark sloughing off and crown die-back can also be used as indicators of attack.
Prevention of an emerald ash borer infestation in a new area is the most effective way to reduce long-term impacts. Follow these tips:
- Don’t move firewood, as EAB larvae could be hiding inside
- Learn to identify an EAB, its signs and symptoms
- Spread the word: educate family and friends of the potential threat
- Report any sightings
EAB infested trees can be cut down and their wood either burned or buried. This method is used particularly where the infestation centre is small. Larger infestations in Canada are being controlled using an insecticide which is directly injected into the trunk of a recently infested tree, or a tree that is susceptible to infestation
In Sudbury, letters were sent to residents whose streets are lined with the infested Ash trees, and teams began removals on November 7th. The removal process may extend to the summer of 2025. The city plans to replant a new tree where each diseased or dead Ash tree is removed, or as close to the original location as possible. Planting will occur under this program in 2025 and 2026, using 18 diverse tree species to strengthen the resilience of the urban forest. Property owners are responsible for managing Ash trees on private properties and are advised to consult local arborists for assessments, treatment or removal.
For more information on the City’s Ash tree removal and replanting program, visit greatersudbury.ca/EAB, or contact 311.
For more information regarding EAB, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Website.
Photo Courtesies:
David Cappaert, Michigan State University
Jerry Dowding, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
