Fight Against the Emerald Ash Borer : Beaconsfield Adopts its 2015 Action Plan

BEACONSFIELD, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Jan. 13, 2015) - Recognizing the importance to protect the environment and urban forest, with the best interests of its citizens in mind, the City of Beaconsfield is implementing in 2015 a plan to save and protect ash trees against emerald ash borer.

"It is the utmost importance to the City of Beaconsfield to protect our urban forest and canopy. The measures being implemented are intended to support our citizens in their efforts to counter the infestation and to treat their ash tree at lower cost. In addition, the City's departments, each with its particular expertise, will contribute relevant information and specialized techniques to the fight", said Mayor George Bourelle.

Following the adoption of the Stratégie métropolitaine de lutte contre l'agrile du frêne by the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM), on December 16, the City of Beaconsfield announced a plan to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer. This plan includes measures targeting both public and private property and is the result of several consultations that were held last September.

The 2015 action plan to fight the EAB will complement and reinforce the by-law adopted last October to protect Beaconsfield's urban forest while respecting the rights of its residents.

Among the measures included in the 2015 action plan are the following:

For Public Trees (3,200)

• Maintain yearly trap monitoring and branch debarking to determine the presence of EAB;
  
  
• Remove and replace 508 trees less than 15 cm in diameter and about 250 Category C, dying trees, over the five-year period between 2015 and 2019;
  
  
• Treat roadside and park trees every second year;
  
  
• Continue planting 200 trees per year;
  
  
• Seek possible value-added options (recovery and reuse) for ash trunks.
  
  

For Private Trees (8,250)

• Prepare call for tenders for TreeAzin application so that residents can benefit from a preferential rate;
  
  
• Evaluate the possibility that the City would treat private trees and bill the owner;
  
  
• If treatment is done by the City, evaluate the possibility of offering a discount;
  
  
• Issue free permits on site for felling infested trees during the authorized period, between October 1^st and March 14, rather than requiring that residents come to City Hall;
  
  
• Monitor the application of the by-law, including properties larger than 1 hectare.
  
  

An amount of $445,000 is budgeted for this program for 2015. This amount will be dedicated exclusively to the EAB. This action plan is based on current knowledge but with research ongoing, it will be revised as necessary.