Oakville treats emerald ash borer-infested trees

Oakville Beaver

A number of Oakville ash trees are getting a new lease on life thanks to the Town of Oakville's municipal treatment program.

Last Wednesday, Town officials kicked off the annual program that began in 2008 to protect ash trees against the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) species.

At a home on Barclay Crescent, lawn and landscaping company TruGreen Canada demonstrated how bio insecticide TreeAzin is being used to combat the destruction the exotic beetle from Asia is having on Oakville's tree canopy.

TruGreen General Manager Michael Afzal said the treatment has to be administered to infected trees every two years to maintain the health and vitality of the ash tree and protect it from further infestation.

In this case, he said the particular 60- to 80-year-old ash tree they were demonstrating on is having its third cycle of treatment since the program began.

Noting how it continues to thrive with lush green foliage, Afzal added not all ash trees have the same fate.

The Town is doing its part to maintain its municipal ash tree population, but more needs to be done, he said.

"We will not be able to win this battle against this beetle, emerald ash borer, if the private home owners are not going to join us in this war against this beetle," said Afzal. "It's so critical that they get actively involved and be part of this campaign so we can work together."

In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of taking protective measures against EAB so Oakville can conserve its tree canopy, the Town is tying a green ribbon around a selected number of treated trees as they work on injecting about 3,000 of the treatable municipal ash tree canopy on streets and parks from now until August, said John McNeil, the Town's manager of Forestry Services.

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Oakville treats emerald ash borer-infested trees