Decemberr 3, 2018 – Black ash listed as threatened. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) released its most recent report on the status of endangered species in Canada. COSEWIC assessments are used as consideration for changes to the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA), which provides best practices and policy for the protection of species in Canada. At their most recent meeting, 36 species were assessed, with 32 determined to be at risk. One of those species is the black ash, indicated by COSEWIC Chair Dr. John Reynolds to be an important component of both Canadian ecosystems and cultural and biological heritage.

In under two decades, the Emerald Ash Borer has done extensive damage to the Canadian ash tree population, with many city parks already stripped of their ash trees. The loss of the black ash would not only be of economic detriment, removing an important Canadian lumber source, but would also disturb ecosystems and urban environments. The loss of ash trees alters the microclimate of forests, allowing the invasion of exotic plants, decreasing biodiversity of herbivores and increasing soil erosion. Urban environments also benefit from ash trees and tree diversity. They increase property value, provide habitat for urban wildlife, and allow for wind break, temperature and pollution mitigation, and runoff prevention.

Listing the black ash as a threatened species means that it is “likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction.” This listing makes it more important than ever to control and reduce the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer and other forest invasives to protect the future of Canada’s remaining ash population.


     

July 15, 2016 - On June 27, 2016, the presence of European cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi) was confirmed in an urban park in Mississauga, Ontario. This marks the first confirmed detection of this potentially destructive invasive insect in North America. Read more here. 

EMERALD ASH BORER ARRIVES IN THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO

June 30 2016 - Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Thunder Bay Ontario. This marks the first time the insect has been detected outside of the regulated area in the province. Effective immediately, the CFIA is restricting movement of all ash material such as logs, branches, and wood chips, as well as all species of firewood from the affected site.

Emerald ash borer is a highly destructive forest pest that has already killed millions of ash trees in North America. To learn more about this insect, visit the Forest Invasives Emerald Ash Borer Species Profile 

Help stop the spread of this invasive insect. Don’t move firewood – buy it where you burn it.

Photo: David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org

August 9, 2015 - Parasitoid wasps released to fight emerald ash borer. After an extensive environment assessment and review process, two species of exotic parasitoids are being released in Ontario and Quebec for classical biological control of emerald ash borer. These include a larval parasitoid (Tetrastichus planipennisi), and an egg parasitoid (Oobius agrili). This work is partially funded by the Invasive Species Centre. Read more here. 

May 28, 2015 - Peterborough residents' ash trees get help from Canada pilot project. Tree Canada has launched an initiative in Peterborough, Ontario to assist in the treatment of private homeowners’ ash trees in conjunction with the city of Peterborough’s treatment plan for their public trees. This will significantly reduce the cost to treat ash trees by as much as 50%. For more information on the program, click here. 

If you live in Peterborough and would like to be a part of the program, download the application form here. 

December 4, 2014 - The Spotted Lanternfly: A threat to Ontario? The spotted lanternfly is a native insect to parts of Asia, and was first detected in North America in Pennsylvania (September 2014). This insect threatens a range of species including the Tree of Heaven, and various fruit trees. Read more at entomologytoday.org. 

October 10, 2014 - Is the Emerald Ash Borer Switching Hosts? Recent research suggests that the emerald ash borer, an invasive forest pest destroying millions of ash trees across North America, is now attacking a new species of tree; the white Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus). Professor Don Cipollini of Wright State University in Ohio discusses the potential impacts of this discovery. Read more.