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Report
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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: October 16, 2017
Report Number: OPD-009-17 Resolution:
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: Update on the removal of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infested trees in
Clarington
Recommendation:
1.That Report OPD-009-17 be received for information.
#GG-434-17
Municipality of Clarington
Page 2
Report Overview
This report provides an update on the current status of the removal of Emerald Ash Borer
(EAB) infested trees in Clarington.
1. Background
As previously updated in Operations report OPD-008-16, the 2013 tree inventory
completed in the urban areas of Clarington indicated there were 2,344 Ash trees. The
original inventory was corrected from 2466 due to 122 Amur Cork trees being mistaken
as Ash trees.
The original Ash tree inventory breakdown is as follows:
Courtice 981 trees
Bowmanville 1126 trees
Newcastle and rural 237 trees
Due to previous removals the current inventory as of September 30, 2017 is:
Courtice 20 trees
Bowmanville 911 trees
Newcastle and rural 237 trees
As of September 30th 961 Boulevard Ash trees have been removed from the Courtice
area. Staff is optimistic that the remaining 20 trees will be removed by the week of
October 16th.
Forestry staff will commence the 300 Ash tree removals in Bowmanville south of
Highway #2 on October 23rd (Attachment #1).
The 611 trees north of Highway #2 will be scheduled for removal following the
removals south of Highway #2.
The remaining 237 trees in the Newcastle, Orono and surrounding areas are expected
to be removed by mid-2019.
There is no current inventory of Ash trees in greenspaces and rural road allowances.
Tree inspections and removals are additional contracted and staff time costs, and have
been done as needed or requested. Only trees that are a hazard to persons or
property are considered for removal in greenspaces. Due to the lack of access, all
removals in greenspaces have been left in a safe and organized manner to naturally
decay.
Municipality of Clarington
Page 3
2.Replacement and Stumping
The tree replacement program began in 2014 due to the ice storm and by the end of
this year 39% of the Ash trees in the Municipality will be replanted. It is expected that
trees removed in Courtice will be replanted by 2018 pending current budget approval,
and the remaining Ash tree removals are expected to be replanted by 2020.
3. Non EAB Forestry activities
There have been a number of Non EAB tree calls in 2017 that have delayed the
removal of Ash trees. These have taken priority due to emergency safety concerns.
These calls have included:
120 storm related tree calls
79 sightline clearance calls
30 non EAB hazard tree removals
4 days assisting with Cedar Crest Beach
4.Strategic Plan Application
Not applicable.
Submitted by: Reviewed by: _________________________
Frederick J. Horvath Andrew C. Allison, B. Comm, LL.B
Director of Operations CAO
Staff Contact: Fred Horvath, Director of Operations, 905-263-2291 or
fhorvath@clarington.net
Attachment 1 – Maps of Ash tree locations in Bowmanville