Overview of the Emerald Ash Borer ThreatA Proposal to Develop a Strategic Plan for the City of Lethbridgeby Jeff Quinlan

Getting to Know EAB:First detected in Canada in Windsor, Ontario in 2002

…it is an indiscriminate pest, affecting healthy and stressed trees

..has a nearly 100% tree mortality rate

..has destroyed millions of ash in areas of Ontario and Quebec

Play Video

EAB should be a concern for LethbridgeAsh comprise about 30% of our urban forest

Like DED, transportation of firewood = major factor

Spread has been rapid: west to Colorado

Knocking on Manitoba’s door (Minnesota, Ontario)

Lethbridge does not have a strategy in place for EAB

“Communities where EAB was found earlier were not able to benefit from the lessons of other communities, research initiatives, or the development of new techniques and chemical treatment options. Other factors in the variation of responses includes the capacity of a community to respond both fiscally (dollars) and physically (in-house or contracted manpower and equipment).”

-  Retrieved June 23, 2015, from http://www.london.ca/residents/Environment/Trees-Forests/Documents/London_EAB_FINAL_090711.pdf

Windsor, Ontario EAB “Ground Zero” in 2002

Sustained enormous losses to their urban forest

6000 trees were removed representing 9% of the canopy

$4 million dollar removal and replacement costs

Infestation and spread was rapid once discovered

First Canadian City affected

Oakville, OntarioEAB detected in 2008

Implemented proactive monitoring and detection programs

Council approved an EAB Work Plan

Treatment program expanded to protect 75% of canopy

“Canopy Club” is a public engagement program

EAB Infestation in Thunder Bay

Lethbridge: Our Green Ash TodayGreen ash was densely planted in Lethbridge’s older established communities

These trees make up a significant portion of the City’s tree canopy

Mountain View Cemetery`

Nicholas Sheran Park

The Value of Lethbridge Ash Trees

6.4

32.28

25.25

5.85

Green Ash Annual Benefits as of 2011 ($/tree)

CO2Bioretention (S-tormwater runoff)Energy (cooling ef -fect)Air Quality

CO2 Sequestration

1977110661326

618534

252829

Annual CO2 Sequestered (kg)

Green AshAmerican ElmPoplarSpruce

Projected Costs of Tree Work due to EABTree removal rates are difficult to quantify

Conservative estimates are based on unit prices for:Tree removal and average mean replacement valuesRange from $400.00 – $600.00/treeBased on 2014 unit rates

Total costs for nearly 40,000 ash trees = $16 million (lower) - $ 24 million (upper limit)

Does not factor in chemical treatments (i.e. TreeAzin)

What Is Being Done NowUF Staff assist the CFIA in setting seasonal EAB

traps

Monitor ash trees for signs and symptoms of EAB

Will implement branch sampling as a monitoring technique in the 2015/2016 season

Respond to public concerns re: ash tree health

Educate local tree companies and neighbouring civic employees

EAB Trap Installation

Characteristics of Effective EAB Management Plans:Created with the long view in mind

Involve all stakeholder groups (City Council, Employees, Citizens/Private tree owners)

Implement tree inventory programs

Use current research findings, treatment and monitoring tools

Budget allocated for EAB management

ConclusionEAB is a reality for Ontario, Quebec and several U.S States

Spread of the pest is made easy with human activity

The potential damage to Lethbridge’s urban forest would last generations

A comprehensive management plan is needed before EAB arrives in the prairies

AcknowledgementsThanks to Lindsay Bell and Dave Walser for

their assistance and continued efforts on behalf of our urban forest

Thanks to John Gilbert, Andrew Sommerville and Chris Witkowski for their help with this project

Questions/Comments?