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9 | Friday, January 20, 2 0 1 7 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com EAB-related tree cutting explained at public forum by Nathan Howes Oakville Beaver Staff While the emerald ash borer (EAB) continues to infect local ash trees, the Town of Oakville is actively trying to minimize the impacts from the invasive insect. To inform residents of its efforts, the Town held an open house Jan. 11 to provide detailed plans on the removal of dead and dying trees, impacted by EAB, from municipal woodlands. Originating from Asia, the EAB is an invasive insect that attacks and kills untreated ash trees. This winter, the Town is embarking on the third year of its Woodlands Hazard Abatement Program. Jalil Hashemi, acting manager of the Town' s Forestry Services, spoke to the Oakville Beaver about its current status. "W e've accomplished some good amount of work already," said Hashemi, noting this was the fourth open-house forum on the matter. "We are making those woodlands safe for the people who are visiting them or parks or backing into the woodlands." He noted trees have already been marked for removal from more than 150 hectares of municipal woodlands, which contain more than 50 per cent ash in their population. Residents living near the affected The Town of Oakville is removing dead or dying ash trees from public woodlands to minimize the devastation of the emerald ash borer (EAB). Pictured is recent work in the woodlot on the south side of Rebecca Street between Mississaga Street and Great Lakes Boulevard. | Graham Paine/M etroland woodlands are receiving notification that during operations, affected woodlands will be closed to the public. "There are more than 50 per cent of the components of tree species are either dead or dying. We are removing the trees that are targeting Town properties or people' s backyards, private property trails," said Hashemi. "More dead trees means more liability, more risk involved. For that reason, we are targeting them first." Once these woodlands are cleared, the Town will begin removing woodlands with less than 50 per cent ash trees. Trails may be temporarily closed to the public while the work is being done. After removal, logs, branches and wood debris will be left on the forest floor to eventually break down into the soil and help shrubs and trees grow. The Town will then begin planting trees through its regeneration program, in select areas, to help repopulate the urban forest. Oakville also has a management program to treat EAB-infested trees on municipallyowned properties, as well as a replacement initiative to replenish every tree removed from roads and active parks. The Town has different criteria for assessing infected trees and whether or not they can be treated or if they need to be removed, Hashemi said. This includes the amount of dieback or deadwood within the tree -- if it has more than 30 per cent, it will be cut down. "We score each single tree. If it gets to the minimum score, of qualification, then we continue doing the treatment. If not, it goes from the treatment to the removal program," said Hashemi, noting symptoms of EAB see Town on p.10 get s o m e t h in g fra m e d . VO LUNTEERS NEEDED G O T W R IN K L E S ? 310 K e rr S tre e t O a kville, On (905) 849-0300 seaandcraftfram ing @ gm ail.com Sea & Craft Framing Q uality p icture fra m ing in th e heart o f Kerr Village since `91 I Y an g A cco u n tin g .ca CPA fell CRA Re-Assessment Overdue Tax Return, Appeals s ' Experienced Professional Services for Individual Business & Corporation ( ) m Y in g (K im b e r le y ) Y a n g 8 647 9 8 9 -1 2 7 6 11-1155 YY@ YangAccounting.ca If you or someone you know have frown lines between the eyebrows and are between 18 and 75 years of age. To volunteer contact www.dermetics.ca/clinical-research/ The Board Certified Dermatologists at Dermetics are currently seeking men and women to participate in a clinical research study utilizing an investigational product for frown lines To volunteer contact www.dermetics.ca/clinical-research/ d e rm e tic s SKIN · BEAUTY r North Service Rd. W, Oakville ( 289) 291-3924 18th Floor, 2 St, Clair Ave. W, Toronto ( 647) 255-8049 Qualified participants will receive: Examination by a Board Certified Cosmetic Dermatologist All study related products and examination at no cost Compensation for travel