1. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
Introduce yourself and how you got involved with LEAF

2. Mission raise public awareness foster a sense of ownership
engage diverse communities
provide educational tools and resources
facilitate urban forest stewardship
Introduce LEAF
LEAF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of our urban forest
Since 1996, when LEAF came into being, over 19,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted in the GTA
This has been accomplished through engaging Toronto and York Region residents in urban forest stewardship through planting, education and training

3. Emerald Ash Borer Basics
invasive insect from Asia that feeds on and kills ash trees
cuts off the flow of water and nutrients within the trees by feeding underneath the bark
Source CFIA; Credit: David Cappaert, Michigan State University
approx. 860,000 ash trees on public and private land in Toronto (8.4% of total canopy cover)
2,800,000 mature ash trees growing in York Region (700,000 of those in urban areas)
Introduce EAB
The EAB lands on ash trees and lays its eggs in bark crevices
The eggs become larvae which tunnel beneath the bark, cutting off the flow of water and nutrients to the tree
The larvae emerge as adults the following year and continue the cycle of destruction
EAB poses a great challenge to municipalities everywhere – in Toronto, there are approximately 860,000 ash trees on private and public land and 2.8 million in York Region – 700,000 of those trees are in urban areas

4. Emerald Ash Borer Basics
affects all species and sizes of ash trees (genus: Fraxinus)
mortality will result, usually within 2-3 years (unless treated)
initially discovered in Michigan and southwest Ontario in 2002
All ash are affected (except mountain ash which is not a true ash tree)
EAB is assumed to have come to North America (NA) accidentally in wood packaging or crating material
EAB does have natural predators/pathogens in its normal range so does not pose a significant problem in Eastern Asia
Since EAB does not have any predators or pathogens that affect it in North America, it is has been difficult to control and has had a devastating impact on ash trees
An insecticide has been developed and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is currently working on the possibility of introducing natural control agents such as wasps to NA in an attempt to control EAB
Source CFIA; Credit: Ches Caister, CFIA staff

5. Options for Your Ash Tree
educate yourself about EAB by visiting
visit websites of municipal/regional forestry departments for information about local EAB programs
consult with an ISA-certified arborist to help you through the decision-making process
Property owners are responsible for taking care of privately-owned trees so should educate themselves as much as possible about the issue
The LEAF website has detailed information on this issue which can be accessed at the link provided in this slide
Websites of municipalities and regional forestry departments also have information about EAB programs
Trees on city property are either treated or removed – the decision remains up to the municipality and some are choosing not to treat at all, some have opted for replanting as a better option
For private trees, consult with an ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) arborist who can help homeowners make important decisions regarding their ash trees
For public trees, contact your local municipality and advise them of the tree – ask them what their plan is!

6. Treatment
TreeAzin™, Confidor 200SL, and ACECAP ® are the only products registered for use in Canada against EAB that in some cases may be able to slow or prevent infestation
little data is available regarding the effectiveness of Confidor 200SL, and ACECAP ®
Treatment is an effective option for healthy, mature ash trees and is applied to the tree every 1-2 years for as long as the EAB persists in the area
In many cases, treatment can be more cost-effective than having the tree removed
While little data is available for Confidor or ACECAP, TreeAzin (pronounced [Tree][Eh][Zin]) has been found to be very effective when applied to uninfected or slightly infected ash trees and is also the least toxic as it is derived from the neem tree seed

7. TreeAzin™ widely used by municipalities across Ontario
recommended for trees with less than 30% crown dieback
injections under bark every two years in early summer (May-June)
to find a licensed applicator in your area, visit
TreeAzin has been widely used across Ontario
Ideally, TreeAzin™ treatments should be conducted if EAB is active in your area, but prior to symptoms becoming visible or if the trees has less than 30% crown dieback
Treatment should be applied in late May to late June (timed with emergence of adult beetle)
City trees in front yard can be treated at homeowners expense and you can contact your local municipality
To find a licensed applicator visit bioforest.ca

8. Removal
visit municipal/regional forestry website for information about tree removal by-laws
removal permits may not be required for EAB-infested trees
infested trees on front yard road allowances will be removed and replaced by City of Toronto and York Region at no cost to homeowners
As mentioned, some ash trees must be removed – either because they are so badly affected by EAB, the homeowner has decided not to treat, or, the municipality has chosen not to treat
Municipalities are removing and replacing ash trees in many front yard areas at no cost to homeowners
Ash removals (due to EAB) on private property are exempt from tree removal bylaw in Toronto

9. Selecting a Tree Care Company
only hire an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
beware of door-knockers
a qualified company will offer a wide range of tree services
they will be frank about treatments for your ash tree
ask for proof of worker’s compensation with the WSIB and proof of liability insurance
request a list of local references
Selecting a qualified tree care company is crucial and arborists should be ISA-certified
A qualified company will be frank about treatments for your ash tree and advised whether removal and replanting or treatment is a better option
Annual pruning, fertilizing, or other options suggested other than those covered today are not viable options
Be wary of companies that suggest such options
It’s always a good idea to ask for references

10. Replacement Tree Planting
LEAF’s subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program
$ per tree
wide variety of native trees available
visit or call ext.0 for more information
Planting a diversity of new trees is critical for our municipalities to overcome EAB
Even homeowners who do not have ash on their property should consider planting a tree to help recuperate our lost tree canopy
LEAF offers a subsidized tree planting program which makes it easy for homeowners – the package includes a visit by an arborist who assesses the property and makes tree recommendations – the planting team comes back at a later date to deliver, plant and mulch the tree
The idea is to plant the right tree in the right place so it has the best chance at reaching maturity when it will be most beneficial
LEAF also provides education and support so homeowners can feel confident that they are caring for their tree properly
Plantings occur in April-June and Sept-Nov but consultations take place March-Dec and the cost ranges between $150 to $220 per tree depending on which species is chosen

11. Replacement Tree Planting
City of Toronto free front yard tree program
will plant a tree on the boulevard space in your front yard
can request your preferred species
Contact or visit City of Toronto’s website for further detail
Many municipalities offer a free street-tree planting program for the city-owned portion of streets and boulevards
Homeowners can select the species they prefer
You can contact your local municipality to inquire what program they offer

12. More leaves = more benefits
Why are we concerned about placing the ‘right tree in the right place’?
We need urban trees to reach their largest potential to receive the maximum benefits – as you can see benefits increase with tree size
Benefits include improved air quality – absorption of carbon dioxide and other gases -- helps mitigate heat-island effect and provides shade -- reduced air temperatures -- provides much-needed wildlife habitat -- intercepts rainfall -- reduced noise pollution – and a tree can increase property values by up to 30%!!!
W.A.Kenney Ph.D. R.P.F.

13. Other Programs/Activities
Tree Tenders Volunteer Training Program
Tree Tours
Presentations and Workshops
Outreach and volunteer programs
Stewardship
LEAF clearly does a lot of work to address EAB in our communities
However, there are many additional programs and activities for you to take part in
For more details on these programs, visit LEAF’s website (yourleaf.org)

14. LEAF’s Project Partners:

15. Thank You!
“If this presentation has piqued your interest in urban environment issues, become an EAB Ambassador like me (insert pledge options or experiences). Go to LEAF’s website (yourleaf.org) to sign up.”