Managing Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald ash borer confirmed in Fredericton (News Release, February 25, 2021)
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Managing Emerald Ash Borer | Backgrounder | February 2020 (PDF)
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Emerald Ash Borer (Government of Canada)
Fredericton is well known for its tree canopy. It is made up of thousands of trees, from different species, found along city streets, in parks and green spaces, and on private properties.
The City of Fredericton employs professional Parks & Trees staff to manage the trees within its care. Property owners also take great pride and care in their own trees and shrubs.
Unfortunately, the City’s tree canopy is under threat from an insect called the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). This tiny pest has killed millions of ash trees across North America since 2002. It was first detected in Fredericton in February 2021.
City staff have been monitoring the situation since 2008. Following the discovery of Emerald Ash Borer in Edmundston, NB in 2018, Fredericton City Council has asked staff to create a plan to minimize the impact. See the plan outline below. Property owners have a role to play, as well. They can monitor ash trees on their own properties and follow the management plan as outlined.
Management Plan
Detect - The Emerald Ash Borer was found in Fredericton in February 2021. was found in Edmundston, NB and Bedford, NS in 2018. It was discovered in Oromocto, NB and Moncton, NB in 2019. City staff will continue to work with provincial, federal, and private sector representatives to detect the insect’s presence in the City of Fredericton.
Treat - Select significant City trees will be identified for treatment. This is not a long-term solution, however, and it is not available for all ash trees on City property due to the expensive nature of the treatment. Homeowners may choose to treat their ash trees.
Remove - Removal of ash trees will be necessary to control the rate of spread of the insect and minimize the risk to public safety. It is recognized that neighbourhoods with a large ash proportion will be impacted greatly.
Replant - The City’s Plan calls for different tree species to be replanted once an ash tree has been removed. Staggered removal and replanting of trees, over several years, will result in the least impact on the City’s tree canopy and create a more disease resistant urban forest.
***In 2020, the City increased its Green Prism "sticky" traps from 35, in 2019, to 38; increased the number of ash trees treated with TreeAzin from 30, in 2019, to 80; and, along with the Maritime College of Forest of Technology, branch-sampled 150 ash trees.