Winona Park Ash Tree Removal

Beginning the week of April 29, the City ofHamilton’s Forestry and Horticulture Section will begin removing 20 of the 140 Ash trees in Winona Park. This is part of the Council endorsed 10-year plan to deal with the infestation of the highly destructive Emerald Ash Borer insect.

 “All trees removed will be replaced one-for-one throughout the park with a diverse assortment of tree species which are less susceptible to disease and won’t host the Emerald Ash Borer,” says Mike McNamara, the City’s Manager of Forestry and Horticulture.  The planting of a variety of tree species leads to a healthier urban forest and lessens future impacts from pests and disease.  

 The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive insect that attacks and kills most species of ash trees. EAB has quickly spread throughout southernOntariosince 2002.  It has been declared an invasive alien species by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

 All Ash trees in Winona Park have been assessed and, although EAB has not been detected in any Ash trees in the park, the 20 trees identified for removal are in poor condition.  Removal of sick or dying trees minimizes the risk to people or property.

In September 2012, City Council approved a proactive management plan in which all Ash trees on municipal lands such as roads, parks and cemeteries will be removed or treated over the next ten years. All trees removed will be replaced with new trees.