City of Hamilton – Public Works

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been detected in parts of Hamilton. Please visit this page often for up-to-date information on the management of Emerald Ash Borer in the City of Hamilton.

City Forestry crews will be removing trees growing on the road allowance and publicly owned property that have been identified to be infested with EAB. All work is being completed by professional arborists in accordance with the City of Hamilton’s Forestry specifications.

Work will progress in various stages, following stump removal a replacement tree will be planted with a suitable tree species.

What is EAB?

The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a metallic green beetle native to Asia. In North America the borer is an invasive species, highly destructive to all ash trees within the genus Fraxinus. It is the larvae of the insect which causes the damage by feeding right under the bark and preventing the tree from getting the water and nutrients required to keep it healthy.

Signs of EAB infestation usually only become apparent once a tree has been heavily infested. These signs include the loss of green colour in the uppermost leaves and thinning and dieback of the crown. The tree may develop sprouts from the roots, trunk or branches, in an effort to find new ways to transport nutrients. Eventually however, with more and more of the crown dying, the tree will starve to death.

It is anticipated that EAB will kill most of the ash tree population in the area.

If you have any concerns, please contact 905-546-CITY (2489) and ask to speak to our Forestry staff.

Emerald Ash Borer Frequently Asked Questions

What is Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)?
EAB is an iridescent green beetle native to Asia. In North America the beetle is an invasive species and a primary tree killer of all species of ash trees. It is the larvae of the beetle that causes the damage by feeding right under the bark, girdling the tree and interrupting the translocation of nutrients.

What harm does the EAB pose to humans or animals?
Despite EAB's destruction of ash trees, they pose no direct threat to humans or wildlife.

What types of trees are at risk?
EAB attacks all ash trees within the genus Fraxinus. Mountain Ash is not a true ash tree, so it is not affected by EAB.

How do I know if I have an ash tree?
Please refer to the following link for ash tree identification: http://www.london.ca/Trees_Lawns_and_Gardens/PDFs/EAB_identificationguide.pdf

How does EAB kill ash trees?
EAB larvae feed underneath the bark causing an interruption in the translocation of nutrients and water throughout the tree. The tree may be killed within a few years of the initial infestation.

How do I know if my tree is infested?
It is difficult to confirm the presence of EAB until the ash tree is heavily infested. Signs and symptoms of an EAB infestation include a thinning crown, epicormic branching, vertical cracking of the bark, D-shaped exit holes, S-shaped galleries beneath the bark, and increased woodpecker activity.

Can EAB be eradicated?
Eradication is not an option for EAB. To help control the spread, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has placed restrictions on the movement of all firewood and ash tree materials in the City of Hamilton and other affected areas. EAB is generally spread through the movement of invested firewood, nursery stock, and forest products.

I have a City-owned ash tree on my property? What should I do?
If your City-owned ash tree is showing signs of being infested by EAB, please call 905-546-CITY (2489) and forestry staff will come out and assess your tree for removal. Once an infested ash tree is removed, Forestry staff will provide a free replacement tree of a different species once the stump is removed.

Will the City be taking care of my infected private ash tree?
Property owners are responsible for all trees on private property, including the treatment, removal and disposal of healthy or dying ash trees.

Can my private ash tree be treated?
There are a couple of options available for the treatment of an EAB infestation. Property owners should contact a reputable certified arborist for treatment options.

Should I treat or remove my private ash tree?
This is an individual decision. Property owners need to be aware that treatment must be performed every two years to maintain effectiveness.

How do I dispose of my infected ash tree?
If certified arborists are removing your tree, then they will know the requirements for proper disposal. Do not allow an arborist to leave the infected tree on your property. Chipping the tree will destroy EAB in accordance with proper protocols. For more information contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at 1-866-463-6017 for proper disposal instructions.

Is the City treating its ash trees?
The City is using pesticide injections on a small scale, case-by-case basis on selected high value ash trees.

Where can I get more information on EAB?
Please see the links to the CFIA EAB website or contact CFIA directly at 1-866-463-6017. Additionally, there are many sources of EAB information on the internet.

Popular Links

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer Frequently Asked Questions

Emerald Ash Borer links

EAB Publications


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Please visit this page often for up-to-date information on the management of Emerald Ash Borer in the City of Hamilton. City Forestry crews will be removing trees growing on the road allowance and publicly owned property that have been identified to be infested with EAB. All work is being completed by professional arborists in accordance with the City of Hamilton’s Forestry specifications. Work will progress in various stages, following stump removal a replacement tree will be planted with a suitable tree species. What is EAB? The Emerald Ash Borer (*Agrilus planipennis) is a metallic green beetle native to Asia. In North America the borer is an invasive species, highly destructive to all ash trees within the genus Fraxinus. It is the larvae of the insect which causes the damage by feeding right under the bark and preventing the tree from getting the water and nutrients required to keep it healthy. Signs of EAB infestation usually only become apparent once a tree has been heavily infested. These signs include the loss of green colour in the uppermost leaves and thinning and dieback of the crown. The tree may develop sprouts from the roots, trunk or branches, in an effort to find new ways to transport nutrients. Eventually however, with more and more of the crown dying, the tree will starve to death. It is anticipated that EAB will kill most of the ash tree population in the area. If you have any concerns, please contact 905-546-CITY (2489) and ask to speak to our Forestry staff. Emerald Ash Borer Frequently Asked Questions What is Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)?* EAB is an iridescent green beetle native to Asia. In North America the beetle is an invasive species and a primary tree killer of all species of ash trees. It is the larvae of the beetle that causes the damage by feeding right under the bark, girdling the tree and interrupting the translocation of nutrients. What harm does the EAB pose to humans or animals? Despite EAB's destruction of ash trees, they pose no direct threat to humans or wildlife. What types of trees are at risk? EAB attacks all ash trees within the genus Fraxinus. Mountain Ash is not a true ash tree, so it is not affected by EAB. How do I know if I have an ash tree? Please refer to the following link for ash tree identification: http://www.london.ca/Trees_Lawns_and_Gardens/PDFs/EAB_identificationguide.pdf How does EAB kill ash trees? EAB larvae feed underneath the bark causing an interruption in the translocation of nutrients and water throughout the tree. The tree may be killed within a few years of the initial infestation. How do I know if my tree is infested? It is difficult to confirm the presence of EAB until the ash tree is heavily infested. Signs and symptoms of an EAB infestation include a thinning crown, epicormic branching, vertical cracking of the bark, D-shaped exit holes, S-shaped galleries beneath the bark, and increased woodpecker activity. Can EAB be eradicated? Eradication is not an option for EAB. To help control the spread, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has placed restrictions on the movement of all firewood and ash tree materials in the City of Hamilton and other affected areas. EAB is generally spread through the movement of invested firewood, nursery stock, and forest products. I have a City-owned ash tree on my property? What should I do? If your City-owned ash tree is showing signs of being infested by EAB, please call 905-546-CITY (2489) and forestry staff will come out and assess your tree for removal. Once an infested ash tree is removed, Forestry staff will provide a free replacement tree of a different species once the stump is removed. Will the City be taking care of my infected private ash tree? Property owners are responsible for all trees on private property, including the treatment, removal and disposal of healthy or dying ash trees. Can my private ash tree be treated? There are a couple of options available for the treatment of an EAB infestation. Property owners should contact a reputable certified arborist for treatment options. Should I treat or remove my private ash tree? This is an individual decision. Property owners need to be aware that treatment must be performed every two years to maintain effectiveness. How do I dispose of my infected ash tree? If certified arborists are removing your tree, then they will know the requirements for proper disposal. Do not allow an arborist to leave the infected tree on your property. Chipping the tree will destroy EAB in accordance with proper protocols. For more information contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at 1-866-463-6017 for proper disposal instructions. Is the City treating its ash trees? The City is using pesticide injections on a small scale, case-by-case basis on selected high value ash trees. Where can I get more information on EAB? Please see the links to the CFIA EAB website or contact CFIA directly at 1-866-463-6017. Additionally, there are many sources of EAB information on the internet.	Emerald Ash Borer links Canadian Food Inspection Agency (Government of Canada) EAB Publications Canadian Food Inspection Agency Guide (PDF) Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Guide (PDF)