Town treating ash trees that can be saved from EAB by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 17 | Thursday, June 16, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The Town of Oakville continued its fight against the invasive Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) this week by treating municipal ash trees on streets and in parks with TreeAzin. The bio-insecticide protects selected trees against the insect's damaging effects. Treated trees will be marked with a green ribbon. The Town has budgeted $3.7 million for its EAB Management Program for 2016. "Maintaining a healthy urban forest is vital to Oakville's livability and sustainability," said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "Using best forest management practices, the Town is assuring a healthy, thriving tree canopy for today and years to come." Town staff said TreeAzin is a natural and safe bio-insecticide derived from the seeds of the neem tree, and provides up to two years of protection against EAB before it must be reapplied. This is the fourth treatment for many of the trees in this year's program. "According to the most up-to-date research results, the EAB infestation has reached extreme levels in Oakville and is now at its peak," said Jalil Hashemi, the Town's acting manager of forestry. "All ash trees are under stress from the insect, Ward 1 Town and Regional Councillor Sean O'Meara, left, and Jalil Hashemi, acting manager, Town of Oakville Forestry Services, launch the Town's 2016 Canopy Conservation program to treat ash trees. | photo by Riziero Vertolli Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) EAB larvae kill ash trees by eating the soft tissue under the tree's bark, preventing nutrients from reaching the canopy. TreeAzin inhibits the feeding and growth of the larvae. The Town also wants to remind residents they can take action to mitigate the impact of EAB. Forestry staff say watering a treated municipal ash tree helps the tree uptake the insecticide more readily, providing added protection. In addition, residents are asked to remove any dead ash trees on their own property and help contribute to the town's tree canopy by replacing those dead trees with native trees. Municipal street and park ash trees that did not qualify for treatment, are being removed for public safety and replaced with trees of different species. Trees marked for removal will be identified by a red ribbon. For more information, visit www.oakville.ca and search Trees and Woodlands. but by continuing to treat the trees, within the treatment program, our goal is to have these beautiful trees lining our streets after the EAB population has died out." The Town's EAB monitoring program suggests the EAB population will start to decline as all of the Town's ash trees will either be protected or will have died, leaving the insect with no food source. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners will be holding it's Annual General Meeting and information session on Saturday June 18, 2016 at 2pm, registration opens at 1pm at the Sir John Colborne Recreation Center, 1565 Old Lakeshore Road in Oakville Ontario. The meeting is open to the general public. If you ever worked in the United Kingdom, you may be entitled to a British State Pension and you may be able to increase the payout even if you live in Canada. You are welcome to attend the meeting to find out more. Pension advisors will be in attendance to answer your questions. www.britishpensions.com OAKVILLE CIVITAN Dorval Crossing FARMERS MARKET Farmers market MOVES FROM HOPEDALE MALL TO (Dorval & N. Service Rd.) "VISIT DIETRICHS FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF SPECIALTY MEATS FOR YOUR BBQ AND HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING!" DORVAL CROSSING EAST Open Every Saturday, May 7th through Nov 26th 8:00am to 2:00pm OAKVILLE'S MOST TRUSTED NAME FOR QUALITY MEAT PROUDLY SERVING OAKVILLE SINCE 1986 Your Market,..Your Home,Dorval Crossing Civitan Formers Market Featuring Fresh Ontario Asparagus, Rhubarb, Cherries & Strawberries! Meat Warehouse 905-847-5295 3rd Line dietrichs QEW 1260 SPEERS X Unit 13 4th Line N HOURS Monday CLOSED Tues-Thurs 10-7 · Fri 9-7 · Sat 9-6 · Sun 11-5 Dorval 1260 SPEERS RD. , UNIT 13, OAKVILLE