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- Emerald Ash Borer
- Pesticide Ban
- Butternut Canker
The Emerald Ash Borer, and invasive insect, was first discovered in North America in June 2002, and is a serious threat to all ash trees. It arrived via improperly treated wooden packing material from Asia. Despite efforts to control the insect, it has continued to spread, both by natural means, and by human assistance, particularly by moving infected nursery stock, and firewood.
The Emerald Ash Borderer infects and kills all types of ash trees, which are widespread through Canada and the US. In order to help control the spread, people are asked to not move wood, or firewood. In some areas, the movement of firewood is prohibited. For information regarding firewood for camping etc., you can visit the Parks Ontario Website.
The following websites provide further information on the Emerald Ash Borer, and what to look for.
Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario
On April 22, 2009, the pesticide ban in Ontario came into effect. The legislation prohibits pesticide use for any cosmetic purposes, on lawns, vegetable and ornamental gardens, patios, driveways, cemeteries, and in parks and school yards. More than 250 pesticide products have been banned for sale and over 95 pesticide ingredients are banned for cosmetic uses. There are some exceptions to the ban, such as agriculture and forestry, and for the control of some harmful plants and insects.
The best defence against weeds, insects, and fungi, is a healthy lawn. Keeping your lawn well maintained, including: fertilized, aerated, dethatched, and properly watered, will boost your lawn's immune system, enabling it to fend off pests, and to recover from and attacks.
For more information on fertilizing, aerating, and dethatching, click here.
For further tips, see our Hint's & Tips page, under Lawn Care.
There are some alternative methods and bio pesticides for controlling unwanted plants and insects. The Ministry of the Environment has provided a Fact Sheet on Managing Pests in Lawns and Gardens.(PDF)
Additional information on the legislation; on what is exempt; safe disposal of pesticides; available alternatives, and more, can be found on the following websites:
Butternut Canker is a fungal disease which enters trough wounds of the Butternut Tree - generally on the lower canopy - killing the inner bark. The fungus gradually works its way up to the upper canopy, killing the branches; then spreads down the trunk of the tree. Once the fungus has encircled the trunk, the tree dies. Canker sores appear on the branches as white patches with black centres. On the trunk of the tree appear deep gnashes and grooves in the bark, which often ooze a black jelly-like substance in the spring, containing the fungal spores of the disease. These spores may then be spread by insects, and by rain.
Butternut Canker is believed to be of foreign origin, and was first document in the US in 1967, arriving in Canada in 1990. It has spread through Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick - areas of the Butternut's range.
The Butternut Tree is now on the Endangered Species List.
The following links provide more information on the tree, the disease, and on what is being done to protect Butternut Trees.
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
International Society of Arboriculture, Ontario
State of Eastern Ontario's Forests, Natural Resources Canada