Watch: Beaconsfield fights the Emerald Ash Borer
BEACONSFIELD — The Town of Beaconsfield is ready to do battle against the Emerald Ash Borer beetle.
On Monday, the town held an open house and town meeting for residents.
Hundreds came to find out how they can protect their trees from the Emerald Ash Borer without paying too much in treatment costs.
READ MORE: Emerald Ash Borer infestation spreading around Montreal
“We have to tackle this as a community,” explained Beaconsfield resident Peter Hinrichsen.
“I have a beautiful property but I have five Ash trees on it. So I’m quite concerned as to how much it’s going to cost to keep them alive or whether I need to cut them down.”
Treating infested ash trees could set back owners hundreds of dollars, however, according to city officials, doing nothing is not an option.
“If we find an infestation, then 2.5 kilometres around the area will have no more Ash trees in six years,” Beaconsfield city manager Patrice Boileau told Global News.
“We have to treat them or take them down. Leaving them is not the solution.”
The pesky bug has been ravishing Ash trees in North America since it was brought over from Asia in 2002.
Public consultations will be held next week, and a by-law which outlines citizens and the city’s responsibilities on the issue, is expected to be passed next month.
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