City removes 80 dead or dying ash trees from the Escarpment Rail Trail

Starting this week, the city will remove dying ash trees from along Escarpment Rail Trail near Limeridge Road — a result of infestation by the emerald ash borer.

According to the city, about 80 trees need to be removed.

In the interest of public safety, there will be intermittent closures along the trail near Limeridge Road between now and Sept. 15, weather permitting.

Cyclists and pedestrians using the trail can go around the closure through Mohawk Sports Park.

The city says that all trees being removed are at least 80 per cent dead. For every tree that is removed, a new species of tree will be planted to diversify Hamilton's urban forest.

The emerald ash borer is native to China and Eastern Asia, and it's killed millions of trees in the U.S. and Canada.

The infestation is an ongoing problem for the city's trees. The invasive beetle was first discovered in Hamilton in 2009. In 2012, city council approved a 10-year, $26.2-million plan to chop down and replace its ash trees.

Quick facts

• The borer has the potential to destroy Hamilton's entire ash tree population within the next five to 10 years.
• The city assesses its trees and prioritizes their removal based on the risk they pose to public safety or property.
• City and Hamilton Conservation Authority staff regularly inspect parks, trails, road allowances and conservation areas to assess potential tree hazards.
• Billions of trees across North America are at risk of infestation and death. The borer poses a major environmental threat to urban trees and forested areas in Hamilton.
• Emerald ash borer adult are metallic green, 8.5 to 13.5 mm long and slender. The head is flattened with black compound eyes that cover most of the side of the head. Short antennae extend from the face then curve back to just past the eyes. The upper side of the abdomen is copper to purplish and is visible when the wings are open.
• The borer is able to attack and kill healthy trees and all native ash species. All sizes are at risk. Larvae have been found in branches as small as 1.1 cm in diameter. Ash trees are widespread in Canada and the U.S., both in natural and urban settings, with green ash the most commonly found in urban forest.
• Hamilton is within an area regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Infested areas are regulated to slow the spread of the insect, and to protect the health of Canada's trees and forests.