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York University Strategic EAB Management Plan

a) Assessment and Monitoring

An initial inventory was conducted in February 2012 and a follow up inventory was completed in June after leaf emergence, when tree vitality is more easily and accurately determined. 

A monitoring program has been set up by University Ground Staff,  including the use of EAB traps, branch sampling and routine observations. These EAB traps have been set on both the York and Glendon Campuses according to protocol from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The information from the inventory and monitoring is the basis for the determination of which trees to remove and the best time to do so.

A full Keele campus tree inventory is being conducted during the spring and summer of 2013 which will allow for further inspection and detection of the decline of the Ash trees on campus.  Currently, only those Ash trees outside of the Keele Campus Woodlots and the Glendon Forest are part of this particular inventory.

b) Conservation

Tree Injections

As determined by the follow up survey, approximately 90 high valued Ash trees have been identified for insecticide injection.  Presently, TreeAzin a systemic bioinsecticide containing Azadirachtin, is the only registered product for emergency use by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Health Canada for EAB control in Ash trees (City of Toronto, 2013). Azadirachtin is a natural extract from neem tree seed. The chemical is recommended for use on infested trees with 30% or less foliage loss.  Injections may protect trees for two years, after which time, additional injections must be administered. Although it is still not known, these injections may be required for up to15 years according to experts, or as long as the life span of this invasive insect.

More information on TreeAzin can be found at: http://www.bioforest.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=content&menuid=18&pageid=1026

c) Removal and Replacement of Ash Trees

The intention is to remove low value trees before, or while the have been infected by EAB, while limiting the risk associated with long standing dead and or EAB infested trees.

An integral element of the removal process is the identification of methods to utilize the wood.  The City of Toronto has recently issued a Request for Proposals to bidders interested in the purchase of limbs and truck wood generated by the Ash trees removed on public lands.  York University is also investigating methods to reuse the harvested Ash wood, including the production of furniture for use on campus or walkways in sensitive areas of the campus.  Wood not suitable for reuse can be ground into landscape mulch, and then reused on campus or within the regulated quarantine area. 

d) York University Nursery

York University has established a nursery for the establishment of seedlings. The nursery will be home to native trees only, and these will focus on varieties that are currently not well represented on the campuses. The seedlings will grow in stature and eventually be used to repopulate areas where trees have been lost. The trees currently listed for the nursery include:

  • Red Maple
  • Bitternut Hickory
  • Blue Beech
  • American Hazelnut
  • Kentucky Coffee Tree
  • Sweetgum
  • Tulip Tree
  • Black Gum
  • Ironwood
  • American Sycamore
  • Black Cherry
  • Swamp White Oak
  • Bur Oak
  • Hackberry

Replacement trees, whether purchased or from the York University nursery, will be aimed at creating greater biodiversity and ensuring robust natural areas.

e) Information and Education program

This EAB strategy includes a program for the distribution of information to share knowledge with all those who are interested, or will be involved or impacted by the program.  There is considerable EAB literature now available to draw from, as the insect infestation has been a reality in North America for several years.

Please check this site, York University’s Yfile, as well as the Campus Services and Business Operations (CSBO) website, and campus newspapers, for periodic updates.

For further information, go to:

The following signs can be seen across campus in locations where EAB management is occurring:

Caution

Tree Protection work in progress:

This work is part of a program to
protect high valued Ash trees against the deadly infestation of the
Emerald Ash Borer.

The work you see involves the injection of a
bioinsecticide called TreeAzin, which will
prevent destruction from the borer.

For more information please contact
Tim Haagsma,
Campus Services and Business Operations
416 736-2100 ext. 20303 

Ash Tree Removal in Progress

         This is one of 530 Ash trees on York University Keele Campus at risk of being destroyed by an invasive insect know as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). In addition to removal of infested trees, Campus Services and Business Operations (CSBO) has adapted a strategy that includes, monitoring and inventory of existing trees, biannual bio-insecticide injections, replacement planting and the establishment of a tree nursery for the production of placement trees.

For more information on York Universities EAB strategy, please visit: http://eab.info.yorku.ca

 

 

 

 

Updated on July 22nd, 2013.