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Protecting the Urban Forest in Ward 5

1. Decline of Recently Planted Boulevard Trees
The Forestry Department is finding a large number of boulevard trees that have been planted within the past five years that have died or are in decline. At this time it appears to be due to unfavourable weather conditions over the past couple of years. When a new tree is planted, door hangers are given to homeowners asking for assistance by watering the boulevard trees in front of their homes. The remaining trees (ie. trees adjacent to parks or vacant lots) will be watered by the Town when required to assist in establishing the trees. Forestry staff have started an inventory of the trees requiring work. The inventory will allow staff to determine the number of trees requiring pruning, or removal and replacement in 2005.

2. Norway Maple Update
In the spring and summer of 2004 Forestry staff have re-inspected declining Norway Maple trees identified in 2003. Upon re-inspection forestry staff have discovered additional trees immediately adjacent to the previously inspected trees. Staff are in the process of updating the inventory of trees requiring pruning or removal/replacement. Of the 93 trees that were removed during the winter of 2003/04, approximately 53 trees were replanted this spring. Unfortunately Markham Hydro is having difficulty keeping up with the demand for locates, and as a result the replacement of the remaining 40 trees has been rescheduled for fall 2004 planting. The residents affected by the delay will be notified. A report will be submitted in September 2004 to update Council on the 2004 Norway Maple Replacement Capital Project.

3. Asian Long-Horned Beetle
Presence of the Asian Long-Horned Beetle (ALHB) was found in Vaughan in 2003. Although there have been several false reports of the ALHB due to the likeness of the ALHB to other insects with long antennae, no evidence of the insect has been found in the Town of Markham to date. Forestry staff investigate each sighting, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as the agency responsible is also notified for further investigation as they deem appropriate. Information is available on the Town’s website, with a link to the CFIA’s website. The Forestry Department is continuing to monitor this situation, and has incorporated the inspection for ALHB in every tree call made by staff.

4. Emerald Ash Borer
This insect affects Ash trees only and has been found in South Western Ontario. A firewall has been established in Essex County, where all Ash trees were removed in a band from Lake Huron to Lake Erie. Currently there has been no sign of the Emerald Ash Borer in the Greater Toronto Area, however staff will continue to monitor for this insect.

The unusual weather conditions, consisting of extremely wet springs, followed immediately by extreme droughts, have generally put all trees and shrubs under stress, resulting in increasingly large numbers of dead or dying trees. Resources required for pruning, removal and replacement of these trees will be identified as part of the 2005 budget process.