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Strategy to fight the emerald ash borer

Preventive felling of 325 untreatable ash trees in the coming weeks

The City of Pointe-Claire is announcing the preventive felling of 325 ash trees that do not qualify for preventive treatment with TreeAzin as part of the strategy to fight the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect species that attacks ash trees.

The inventory of ash trees situated on public land made it possible to identify untreatable ash trees, either because of the tree’s general health, its level of disease, its structure or location. Of that number, 325 trees were felled last year and 325 more will be felled in the coming weeks, during the low-risk period for the dispersion of the damaging insect. This strategy will be repeated each year until 2022, when it will be re-evaluated. To date, 1,400 ash trees have been treated with TreeAzin. The ash tree replacement strategy, spread over several years, will help limit the negative impacts of the massive loss of ash trees, both ecologically and economically.

The ash wood is reclaimed and reused, namely turned into lumber for constructing street furniture. The first indoor furniture project is already underway to furnish the lobby of the Aquatic Centre. The smallest pieces of ash wood are turned into wood chips and used for the pathways in Terra-Cotta Natural Park.

“Last year, 800 new trees of various species were planted on public land, along roadways, in front of residences and in parks to maintain our urban forest, increase the canopy index over our entire City and ensure the quality of our environment. 575 trees were also distributed free of charge for Earth Day last April. This will be repeated this year,” explains Mayor Trudeau.

To view the strategy to fight the emerald ash borer, visit the City’s website at www.www.pointe-claire.ca. Two grant programs, for preventive treatment and felling, are available to homeowners.

 

Source: City of Pointe-Claire
Information: 514-630-1200, communications@pointe-claire.ca