City hires arborist to handle management of emerald ash borer

City hires arborist to handle management of emerald ash borer

CORNWALL, Ontario – The City of Cornwall’s Parks and Landscaping Section has a new face on board to help combat the emerald ash borer.

Scott Porter recently joined the city as the new Municipal Arborist Supervisor. In this position, Porter will be charged with implementing the City’s Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan as well as overseeing the city’s entire tree inventory.

Porter worked with the City of Brantford in a similar position before making the move to Cornwall.

“I am excited to be joining the City of Cornwall and working with a great team of people to combat this serious issue,” Porter said.

The emerald ash borer (also known as EAB) is a destructive wood boring beetle which attacks and kills all native species of ash trees. It was first detected in Cornwall in June 2013.

Earlier this year, city council approved ‘active management’ plan to deal with the EAB threat to ash trees on city-owned property, including streets, parks and other public spaces.

This strategy will involve a combination of approaches, including removing dead ash trees and pre-emptively removing others at risk, replanting at a one-to-one ratio with other tree species, and treating existing mature ash trees in good condition

“The EAB presents a serious threat to our tree population and it will demand a significant amount of time, money and resources in the years ahead,” said Christine Lefebvre, division manager, Planning, Parks and Recreation. “We are thrilled to have Scott on board. His combination of skills and experience make him well-suited to oversee this important initiative.”

Along with the EAB initiative, Porter’s responsibilities will also include the long-term care and management of all city-owned trees. There are over 13,000 trees on city properties, right of ways and public spaces.

For more information on emerald ash borer and the city’s Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan, please visit the Environment section of the City of Cornwall website, www.Cornwall.ca.

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