Emerald ash borer (EAB)

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  Impacts of EAB

  • Emerald ash borer attacks only ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). 
  • Up to 99% of ash trees could be killed if this insect gets established.
  • As ash trees represent about 4.8% of the public tree inventory, this could result significant canopy loss.
  • Since EAB is an exotic pest, there is no known natural predator here to control the population.
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  Signs of EAB infestation

  Ash trees may be infested for several years before displaying symptoms of EAB infestation. The insect usually infests the tree from the top down, preferring the warmer southern exposed side of the tree. 

  Signs of EAB infestation on ash trees include:

  • Yellowing foliage
  • Thinning crown (tree decline) Image file (672 KB)
  • New shoots (suckers) growing from ground level or on the trunk Image file (616 KB)
  • Vertical cracks in trunk Image file (724 KB)
  • D-shaped exit holes Image file (528 KB)
  • S-shaped tunnels under the bark packed with sawdust Image file (616 KB)
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  Resources

  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency External website, opens in new tab
  • Invasive Species Council of BC External website, opens in new tab

Treatment of public ash trees

We’re treating select ash trees with the insecticide TreeAzin to help protect them from EAB. The treatment doesn’t guarantee full protection, but it can help extend the life of healthy, mature ash trees and preserve the tree canopy in our neighbourhoods.

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  How the treatment works

  TreeAzin is a systemic insecticide that is injected directly into the base of the tree. Small canisters are attached to the base of each tree Image file (300 KB) to inject the insecticide and are removed after 15 to 60 minutes. 

  The active ingredient is Azadirachtin, which is derived from the seed of the neem tree. Neem extracts have been used in various forms to control insects for centuries.

  Since it is injected directly into the trees, it will only target insects that feed on the tree such as EAB. 

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  Which trees are treated

  Ash trees must meet 2 criteria to be considered for treatment:

  • Diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 20 cm
  • Display no more than 30% loss of foliage in the canopy
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  Areas being treated

  In August 2025, we'll be treating ash trees in or near these areas:

  • Columbia Park
    • 5600 block Ontario St
    • 5500 to 5600 block Elizabeth St
    • 100 to 300 block W 41st Ave
    • 5700 to 5900 block Columbia St
    • 5700 to 5900 block Alberta St
    • 100 to 300 block W 42nd Ave
    • 100 block W 44th Ave
  • Cooper’s Park
    • 100 block Drake St
  • MacLean Park
    • 700 block E Pender St
  • Slocan Park
    • 4700 to 4800 block Duchess St
    • 4600 block Ravine St
    • 2600 to 2700 block Ward St
  • Strathcona Park
    • 500 to 700 block Raymur Ave
    • 900 block Union St
  • Sunrise Park
    • 3000 to 3100 blk E 5th Ave
    • 3100 block E 4th Ave
  • CRAB Park
  • Andy Livingstone Park
    • 2100 block Napier St
    • 1000 to 1200 blk Templeton Dr
    • 2200 block Kitchener St

  Find where public ash trees are located

  1. Go to the Open Data Portal to review the public trees catalogue. 
  2. In the left-hand menu, under GENUS_NAME, select FRAXINUS (ash trees).
  3. At the top of the page, select 'Map' to switch to the map view.
  4. Zoom in and select the green circles to explore ash tree counts by area. The numbers represent how many ash trees are in that part of the city.
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  Safety of TreeAzin

  TreeAzin is a systemic insecticide injected directly into the base of the tree, not sprayed.

  Its active ingredient, Azadirachtin, is a natural compound derived from the seed of the neem tree.

  The product is approved for use in Canada by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Health Canada and is permitted under our Health Bylaw Section 2.10 (f).

  It’s applied well after ash trees bloom, posing little risk to pollinators.

  TreeAzin degrades naturally in the tree and leaves, and does not persist in soil or aquatic environments.