Emerald Ash Borer

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a non-native invasive species that has killed millions of ash trees in southwestern Ontario, and in the United States of America. Emerald Ash Borer poses a major economic and environmental threat to urban and forested areas in both countries (Canadian Food Inspection Agency website, 2010).

EMERALD ASH BORER: Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry Archive

The Emerald Ash Borer attacks and kills all species of ash, except mountain ash which is not a true ash. With artificial spread, where people move infested ash materials and firewood to new areas, this insect can quickly spread to other areas of Canada (Canadian Food Inspection Agency website, 2010).

In 2009, Emerald Ash Borer was detected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in the Niagara Region. The Niagara Region has been deemed by the CFIA as a “regulated area”. A regulated area is an area where specific ash materials are not to be moved out of in order to prevent the spread of EAB. A Federal Ministerial Order has been put in place that prohibits the movement of any ash material and firewood of all ash species out of the Niagara Region unless written permission is given by the CFIA.

See below for a map from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of regulated areas in southern Ontario, as of 2011.

For more information, please visit these websites:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Emerald Ash Borer
Ministry of Natural Resources: Emerald Ash Borer

Links to additional reading material:

Emerald Ash Borer Landowner Factsheet
A Landowner’s Guide for Woodlots Threatened by Emerald Ash Borer
When Invasive Species Threaten Your Woodlot
Do You Have a Healthy Woodlot?
Prescriptions for Managing Ash in Farm Woodlots