Emerald Ash Borer

The Emerald Ash Borer beetle was confirmed in Canada in 2002. The beetle has infested many trees in Clarington as the Municipality continues to remove and replace those trees affected.

In 2013, Clarington’s Operations Department took an inventory of trees infested with the Emerald Ash Borer. A total of 2,344 Ash trees were found on urban municipal right-of-ways that were infested. Clarington has established an annual removal and replacement program.

The Municipality hopes to have the remainder of the trees in Bowmanville removed by summer 2019. The infested Ash trees in Newcastle and Orono will be removed by early 2020.

Clarington plans to have all Ash trees replaced with a variety of other native species of trees by 2021. Fall is the best time to replant trees as they can develop roots without needing extra water for leaves and have the best chance of survival.

The emerald ash borer beetle is native to China and eastern Asia. The emerald ash borer lays eggs on tree bark and in crevices. In its larva form, the emerald ash borer feeds on the tree, and cuts off its water and nutrient supply, eventually causing the tree to die.