- What it is
- Where it is
- What it attacks
- Why it’s harmful
- How to identify it
- How it moves
- What you can do to prevent its spread
- Proper disposal of ash or ash wood material
- What to do if you have an ash tree on your property
- Will the Region/City/Town inspect my tree to see if it is infected?
- What to do if you believe you see an infested ash tree on public property
- Sources/More information
What it is
Photo Courtesy of CFIA
It is not harmful to humans or pets.
Where it is
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of EAB across much of southern Ontario, including Peel (the cities of Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon), Halton, Niagara, York and Durham Regions, as well as the Cities of Toronto and Hamilton.
In March 2011, the CFIA amalgamated the regulated areas under one Federal Ministerial Order, which prohibits the movement of specific materials including any ash material and firewood of all species, have been issued to affected areas throughout Ontario.
Federal Ministerial Orders, which prohibit the movement of specific materials including any ash material and firewood of all species, have been issued to affected areas throughout Ontario. Please refer to maps and note the boundaries of the regulated area, which includes all of Peel Region.
Peel residents and business are prohibited from moving any firewood or ash wood material beyond the boundaries outlined in the Ministerial Order. Movement of firewood and ash wood materials is permissible within a regulated area.
What it attacks
Photo Courtesy of CFIA
The ash tree is also used for a number of finished products: baseball bats, guitars, tool handles and furniture. It also makes excellent firewood.
Why it’s harmful
Photo Courtesy of CFIA
How to identify it
Signs of EAB infestation usually only become apparent once a tree is heavily infested. For more information on identifying EAB-infected ash trees, visit the CFIA
How it moves
EAB is native to China and eastern Asia, and was found in North America in 2002. In May 2002, it was discovered in southeastern Michigan in the U.S., and in July 2002 it was found in Essex County in Ontario. It was detected in Peel Region in the summer of 2008.
Once established, it can fly up to several kilometres to seek new host material.
EAB is also transferred inadvertently by people who move infested material, such as nursery stock, trees, logs, and any lumber or wood with bark attached, including bark chips and firewood.
What you can do to prevent its spread
Residents, nurseries and landscapers can play a key part in helping to control the spread of EAB.
The movement of infested ash materials and firewood poses the greatest risk of spreading EAB to uninfected areas. Areas under Ministerial Orders are restricted in moving:
- Firewood of all species
- All ash (Fraxinus species) nursery stock, trees, logs, wood, rough lumber and other wood packaging materials, bark, wood chips or bark chips
Tip: If you go camping – buy firewood locally. Burn it on site. Never bring it back home. Moving firewood, even just a few kilometres away, can spread invasive insects and diseases.
Caution: You could face penalties of up to $50,000 and/or prosecution if you move firewood out of an area regulated for an invasive species unless you have prior approval from the CFIA.
Proper disposal of ash or ash wood material
Residents:
If you have material that you believe is ash wood and need to dispose of it, please take it to your local Community Recycling Centre for proper disposal. Regular drop-off fees will apply.
You may continue to place brush and small bundles of wood out for yard waste collection on your scheduled waste collection day. More information on yard waste guidelines in Peel.
Landscapers:
Landscapers based in Peel Region may also dispose of firewood and ash tree materials at any of the Region’s five Community Recycling Centres. Regular drop-off fees will apply.
What to do if you have an ash tree on your property
There is no immediate need to cut down ash trees on your property. Although all infested ash trees will eventually die, there is no urgent need to cut them down until they become a hazard, If you believe you have an infestation of EAB in any of your trees, we recommend you contact a certified aborist in your area (Mississauga, Brampton/Caledon) for an inspection.
Will the Region/City/Town inspect my tree to see if it is infected?
Forestry specialists in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga are monitoring the situation. However, individual tree inspections and diagnosis are the responsibility of property owners.
What to do if you believe you see an infested ash tree on public property
Ash trees make up approximately 25 - 30 per cent of our urban tree canopy. Although in the early stages of the infestation there is little immediate effect, forestry specialists in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga will be examining removal and replacement options to address the loss of this valuable environmental resource.
To report any sightings of infested ash trees on public property, please call your local forestry unit:
Brampton – Call the 905-874-2906 or e-mail forestry@brampton.ca
Caledon – Call 905-584-2272
Mississauga – Call 905-896-5000 or e-mail urban.forestry@mississauga.ca
More questions
Check out CFIA’s Questions and Answers page or call CFIA at 1-866-463-6017, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sources/More information