City of Vancouver injecting ash trees with pesticide to deal with invasive beetle

The City of Vancouver is taking action to combat the emerald ash borer beetle, an invasive species that has caused significant damage to ash trees across North America. Originally from Asia, the beetle was first detected in Vancouver last year, raising concerns for the city’s urban tree population.

The emerald ash borer likely arrived in North America through imported goods from East Asia in the early 1990s. Since its initial detection near Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario in 2002, the beetle has spread to more than 30 states and five provinces.

Recently, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) identified beetle infestations in the City of Surrey, leading to restrictions on moving ash tree products in certain Metro Vancouver communities. Vancouver has around 8,600 ash trees, representing approximately five percent of the city’s tree inventory. Losing these trees would result in a significant loss of canopy cover.

To address the infestation, the City of Vancouver is injecting ash trees with a pesticide to combat the emerald ash borer. The injectable insecticide, TreeAzin, targets insects that feed on the trees and aims to prolong the lives of the affected ash trees. However, the treatment does not guarantee full protection.

According to a spokesperson from the Vancouver Park Board, the highest levels of beetle detection have been in downtown and Strathcona, particularly near Coopers’ Park and Strathcona Park. Additional infestations have been identified around Sunrise Park in East Vancouver.

Despite the presence of the emerald ash borer, the spokesperson noted that many ash trees in the city appear outwardly healthy, and there has not been a mass die-off of ash trees. Conducting reliable surveillance on the beetle population in the city is challenging, as branch sampling is labor-intensive and can result in false positives.

In conclusion, the City of Vancouver is taking proactive measures to protect its ash trees from the destructive emerald ash borer beetle. By implementing treatment programs and monitoring infestations, the city aims to preserve its urban tree canopy and mitigate the negative impacts of the invasive species.