Ash trees should be saved, not unnecessarily cut

There seems to be a rash of folks with chain saws ready to cut every ash tree in Ottawa. Large trees are valuable green infrastructure, as they cool in the summer, clean the air and water and improve physical and mental health, not to mention property values. The borer is on its way, but trees can be saved even if moderately infected, by injection of a remarkably effective and safe organic pesticide every other year. We hope that within a decade or so, biocontrols will be in place, so injections are just a short term necessity. The pesticide was developed by the Canadian Forestry Service. See www.bioforest.ca for information and service providers.

Ottawa's tree canopy is already below recommended standards, and 25% of our street trees are Ash. The city is on track to save only a few percent of these. For efficiencies and a great bargain, neighbours should band together to treat and save all their Ash trees.