Tree planting plans to combat EAB damage

Almost $650,000 of provincial money will be used to plant trees in two south western counties affected by the emerald ash borer (EAB). The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) will co-ordinate tree planting, which will see 900,000 native trees planted over the next five years.

The ERCA is co-ordinating the EAB response program with the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the City of Wind­sor, Chatham-Kent County and the stewardship networks in both areas.

This is not a tree replacement program, but is intended to add native trees to areas that are treed already. There is a federal program run by CFIA for people who had trees cut down to try to slow the spread of EAB.

Ongoing surveys have found several infested sites in Chatham Kent county, but evidence suggests these isolated sites are the result of the movement of infested materials (such as logs or firewood), rather than the natural spread of the tiny beetle.

For more information, visit www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/pestrava/ashfre/agrplae.shtml.
– with information from The Windsor Star.