The infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer got slightly worse last year.
City council received a report saying the destructive insect was confirmed in 12 trees in 2017, compared with eight when it was discovered in the Intercity area in 2016.
City spokesperson Mike Dixon tells council that we saw a small increase in the bug last year but Thunder Bay doesn’t have a major infestation.
“It is spreading across the city, we are finding more trees that have evidence of EAB in them, but it’s not spreading at a large rate at this time.”
Dixon notes that it seems the EAB takes two years to mature in our climate, compared with one year in southern Ontario, which may be one reason it’s not more widely spread through the city.
He points out that our weather has killed off at least some of the Emerald Ash Borer population, namely the warm spells we experience followed by cold snaps.
Dixon reports that Duluth officials say the Emerald Ash Borer’s life cycle is similarily slowed-down in their climate.
The city’s plan to fight the infestation includes vaccinating about a quarter of all ash trees, but staff pointed out last night that you can pay to have your tree treated for around $150 per year.
That’s somewhat of a relief for Bay Street resident Anneli Tolvanen, who sent a petition with 145 signatures to council.
It called for the city to let residents pay a contractor to vaccinate trees that aren’t in the city’s budget to treat.
She also wants the vaccine program promoted so as many people as possible can try to protect their trees, but didn’t hear any such publicity campaign mentioned in council chambers.
“Vaccinations are more successful when more people participate in it,” Tolvanen argues, “That’s how vaccinations work. So, why are we not being really enthusiastic about citizens jumping on board?” ‘
She says she’ll continue pushing the city to start a public awareness campaign about the vaccination program, pointing out that trees have to be treated by July for the vaccine to be effective.
In 2017, 114 ash trees were cut down because of the bug, 198 trees were replaced, and 885 were treated. (File Photo)
