The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a highly destructive invasive beetle that destroys ash trees. It was first detected in North America in 2002 and has since killed millions of trees. Despite many efforts to control the beetles' spread, they have persisted throughout the province, in Canada and the U.S.
The emerald ash borer's larva burrows into trees, just underneath the bark and cuts off the tree's water and nutrient supply. Once a tree is infected, its health declines rapidly. Because the beetles can move quickly and easily spread to surrounding trees, all ash trees in Innisfil will likely succumb to the same fate.
Ash Borer Program
The Town of Innisfil has an Ash Borer Program, which works to survey and remove all standing dead and dangerous ash trees and replant a variety of trees that are not susceptible to the same infestation.
This five-year program removes trees on Town property through a priority system. Trees are categorized and mapped for removal by their state of decay. Due to how quickly trees can become infected, we're always updating the map and priority areas.
Staff and our tree removal contractors work to remove the dead standing and dangerous trees and any similar trees reported by residents first.
Tree removal process
The program follows these steps.
Step 1: Tree removal
Staff and contractors remove all ash trees, even ones that may seem healthy, as we move through mapped locations where standing dead and dangerous trees have been identified.
You can contact us to report a dead tree on a boulevard or on Town property. We will assess and confirm the tree's health and remove it in priority sequence.
Step 2: Stump removal
After the tree is removed, a portion of its stump may remain. This may occur more often if people have planters or other decorative items around the tree (which violates our Roads By-law).
Workers grind down the stump, add topsoil and seed the area. There may be a delay between the tree's removal and its stump grinding.
Step 3: Replanting
Following the removal of trees and stumps, workers begin replanting. Replanting is expected to be an ongoing process spanning the five-year program. This means that although a certain tree may be removed one year, it may not be replanted for several years.
We replant a variety of tree species, but due to availability and limited resources, we cannot accommodate specific requests for tree species. As with all tree planting, the location and removed tree's root bulb may hinder efforts to replant in the same spot. We make every effort to replant trees close to where previous trees were removed.
Wood from removed trees
To contain and slow the spread of the invasive emerald ash borer, ash wood is subject to strict restrictions for transportation. Because of this, the wood must be collected and destroyed by staff. It is unavailable to be used as firewood.
What you can do
You can help prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer by:
- Not moving firewood, especially ash wood
- Replanting dead ash trees on your property with recommended alternatives to ash trees
- Buying local firewood to protect natural habitats