NEWMARKET, ON, March 19, 2014 /CNW/ - Silv-Econ Ltd., a forest resource management firm, announced today the launch of a new educational website, www.invasiveinsects.ca, created to provide information and resources for consumers, municipalities, land managers and woodlot owners to help minimize the destruction of ash trees by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetle. The site helps to identify the EAB, healthy and EAB infested ash trees, and provides options for addressing the impact.
First discovered in Canada in 2002, the beetle has spread through much of southwestern and eastern Ontario. The beetle attacks only ash trees, and kills most of the trees it infests. It has already killed millions of ash trees in eastern Canada and is expected to move through the entire range of ash in Canada over the coming years.
Landowners with ash trees should know their trees will be attacked by the beetle. There are options to conserve the trees; without treatment however, their trees will die leaving owners responsible for significant removal costs.
"Our inventories have shown that ash accounts for around 10 to 15% of the tree species in woodlots and along urban boulevards within southern Ontario. Not since the devastation to elm trees caused by Dutch Elm Disease in the 1960's has there been such a significant threat to forest cover in the region", says Silv-Econ President David Puttock.
QUICK FACTS
The Emerald Ash Borer, named for its metallic emerald green appearance, was accidentally introduced from China in infested wood packing material. The beetle was found last year in Bruce, Simcoe and Peterborough counties. The beetle's larvae can be transported in infested firewood, and adults can hitchhike on vehicles or on people. This accelerates the spread of the beetle. Adult beetles can be seen from May until August. This image shows EAB larvae galleries in an infected ash tree.
ABOUT SILV-ECON LIMITED
Silv-Econ Limited is recognized as a leading authority on woodlot management, forest insects, forest certification and urban forestry in southern Ontario. Founded in 1987, the company has a reputation for being innovative, responsive, and client-oriented.
Silv-Econ is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Smartwood (SW-FM/COC-001769) as a Group Manager of forest properties. The company is a leading authority on forest certification in southern Ontario.
The company's extensive clientele includes the Regional Municipalities, Counties and Towns across southern Ontario and hundreds of private woodlot owners. The company has been directly involved in the management of over 40,000 hectares of forest, including approximately 7,000 hectares of private woodlots under Ontario's Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program.
Image with caption: "This image shows EAB larvae galleries in an infected ash tree. (CNW Group/Silv-Econ Ltd.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140319_C6058_PHOTO_EN_38145.jpg
Image with caption: "Silv-Econ Ltd. (CNW Group/Silv-Econ Ltd.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140319_C6058_PHOTO_EN_38146.jpg
SOURCE: Silv-Econ Ltd.
David Puttock, President, Silv-Econ Ltd.
905.898.3085
[email protected]
www.silvecon.com
Share this article