The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)
Ash trees are very common on public and private properties, and the Town of Georgina has the highest proportion of ash trees compared to all other municipalities in York Region. The EAB has the potential to affect 20.5% of the Town of Georgina trees with an estimated value of $135 million. LEAF, with support from York Region, offers a subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program to help residents maintain and enhance tree canopy. The program provides a convenient, accessible and affordable way to plant new trees on private property.
On May 24th, Mayor Margaret Quirk, Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor Naomi Davison, and Councillor Dave Harding joined property owner Catherine McNeely and her husband Chris, along with representatives from LEAF and York Region, to celebrate the program by planting a paper birch tree on their beautiful Georgina property. The weather and the view could not have been more beautiful!
The Backyard Tree Planting Program is available to all residents of York Region. The goal is to provide support to property owners in their efforts to plant trees and shrubs on their property, thereby helping the Town and the Region achieve urban canopy cover goals. LEAF arborists provide expert advice on species selection, planting locations and even do the work of planting if you want them to! Learn more here.
To read about this event in the Georgina Post (pg 15), click here
And, read what else LEAF has to say about the Emerald Ash Borer here
The Backyard Tree Planting Program is supported by The Town of Newmarket, The Regional Municipality of York, City of Toronto, Toronto Hydro, Oakvillegreen, Town of Ajax, and Ontario Power Generation.
Janet McKay is LEAF's Executive Director.