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Emerald Ash Borer

If you haven't yet heard the news, approximately 860,000 Ash trees exist in the Toronto area alone.  All are expected to be dead in the next 3 to 5 years.  They could be right in your backyard or lining a city street in front of your property.  Ash trees provide a large portion of canopy shade to our homes and recreation areas.  They were actually one of the most planted city trees only a few decades ago. 

The current budget cuts to our city services are inclusive of arbory services.  You can expect private companies and basically anyone with a ladder and chainsaw to be ramping up marketing in the next couple of years.  If you have ash trees on your property, you may want to consider getting a head start on replacing them with another more viable species.

Here's some updated information on the Emerald Ash Borer pandemic currently sweeping across North America.  Below is an updated map of the geographical effects, followed by links to the Toronto website, supported by Urban Forestry Services as well as general background info provided by Wikipedia. 

Toronto: Urban Foresty 

http://www.toronto.ca/trees/eab.htm

Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_ash_borer

NOW Magazine // News // Leafy letdown

Some interesting stats on Toronto public service cuts and its effect on our urban landscape.  

NOW Magazine // News // Leafy letdown

Climate Change:  We have a choice.
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/climate-blog/2011/10/climate-change-we-have-a-choice/