The Emerald Ash Borer is a beetle that is native to Asia and was first detected in North America in 2002. Even though it probably arrived on the continent a good decade earlier, it has proven to be incredibly destructive in its new environment. It has caused considerable ecological and economic harm since its arrival and has continued to spread into new areas without stopping, killing tens of millions of ash trees in the process.
What Are the Implications of the Damage Caused by This Beetle Throughout Canada?
According to estimates done by Canadian Forest Service (CFS) scientists, the total costs for replacement, removal and treatment of trees affected by this highly destructive beetle throughout a number of affected Canadian municipalities could very well reach $2 billion over a 30-year period. Further concerns are expected to involve significant ecological impacts of ash tree mortality, particularly on understory vegetation, birds and aquatic organisms, all of which are currently under study.
What is the Status of the Infestation as of Recently?
First detected in Windsor, Ontario in 2002, the Emerald Ash Borer had spread into Lambton and Essex counties and the municipalities of Dutton/Dunwich and Chatham-Kent by 2005. It was also detected in London, Ontario in 2006 and has now spread as far east as Toronto in 2007. The province has since seen a rapid spread of the insect, even to such northern locations as Sault Ste. Marie, as well as eastern regions like Ottawa. Leeds-Grenville and Prescott-Russell counties have also experienced similar infestations. The beetle was subsequently detected on Manitoulin Island, the District of Algoma, Peterborough County, Simcoe County and Frontenac County in 2013.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of Emerald Ash Borer in the Monteregie area of Quebec in 2008, as well as subsequent infestations in Gatineau and Montreal (2011), Longueuil (2012) and Terrebonne (2013). As of recently, federal ministerial orders that prohibit movement of potentially infested ash commodities regulate all of these areas.
Why Are Emerald Ash Borer Infestations so Widespread Throughout Canada?
The main reason for such successful infestations is the fact that there are few to no effective natural enemies of the Emerald Ash Borer in North America. Additionally, there is limited resistance to their attacks found in native ash trees. According to surveys, Emerald Ash Borer insects are able to cause substantial damage and kill trees within one to four years from the moment of infestation. Usually more than 99 percent of the ash trees have been killed within six years of an infestation arriving in a woodlot. Such extensive mortality rates increase the chances of forest invasions by invasive plants, as well as posing a difficult challenge to urban centres that have been affected.
Suspect Your Ash Trees Are Infected By This Pesky Insect? Get In Touch With Martin’s Tree
Ash trees are beautiful and a real joy to have in your backyard or property, but if you have noticed signs that they may be suffering from an infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer, you need to react right away. Get in touch with a professional team of arborists and seek expert help in determining whether or not your ash trees are plagued by the dangerous Emerald Ash Borer. If you’re struggling to find the right company to help you with this, simply reach out to Martin’s Tree. The expert team at Martin’s Tree has been in business for almost a decade and has amassed the kind of experience that is ideal for helping you solve a potential infestation problem. Reach out to Martin’s Tree today and contribute to helping stop the widespread infestation of Emerald Ash Borers.
Steve Martin
