Gordon Whitton, the City of North Battleford parks supervisor, right, pictured at Monday’s planning committee meeting. Administration presented a report on protecting the city’s urban forest during the event. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Green ideas

City planning committee looks at preserving urban forest

Mar 19, 2019 | 9:00 AM

Preserving the urban forest from disease and infestation was the focus of Monday’s planning committee meeting for the City of North Battleford.

Leisure Services Director Cheryl DeNeire presented a report on the issue.

She said the city needs to have a risk management plan in place to preserve its trees from the potential risk from the Emerald Ash Borer and Dutch Elm Disease in particular.

While it is not here yet, there is a high risk of the Emerald Ash Borer coming to the area. The insect is highly invasive and destructive. It has already been detected in Winnipeg. The beetle attacks Ash trees, with the exception of Mountain Ash. Trees often die in the second or third year after they have been infested.

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“This beetle is a concern for every municipality with Ash, and everyone is working hard to reduce their risk and their losses,” said DeNeire.

She added if this beetle enters North Battleford, the city could lose the majority of its Ash trees, which could cost up to $1.5-million to replace.

DeNeire said it’s critical to have some type of plan in place, to be proactive and help mitigate the risk.

For Dutch Elm Disease, caused by the fungus spread by the Elm Bark Beetle, there is medium to low risk of it entering the municipality. The report indicated the city has not had a positive case of Dutch Elm Disease yet.

DeNeire pointed out there are new ways now to help protect trees from becoming infested, such as by isolating them and using an injection method, as some options.

City Manager Randy Patrick says the city needs to be prepared to find ways to help protect its trees from these invasive species.

“The risk with the beetles is that they will eventually get here,” he said following the meeting. “We don’t know when, but it’s likely it’s going to happen.”

“We want to start planning for it before that happens and understand exactly how we’ll deal with it when it does,” Patrick added.

The report showed the city has 23,000 trees. A total of 90 per cent are classified as young, between the ages of 40 and 70 years old. From the 23,000 tally, 15,000 are boulevard trees, with the remaining 8,000 located in parks and buffer strips. A total of 30 per cent of the inventory is made up of Ash trees, 30 per cent Elm, and two per cent Weeping Birch.

The report indicated it is better to have a diversified makeup of trees to help reduce the risk of loss associated with disease and infestation. A total of 38 per cent of the city’s tree inventory is a mix that includes Birch, Shubert Choke Cherry, Maple, Spruce and Scotch Pine.

Patrick said it’s critical the city have some type of protocol to follow.

“It’s a significant planning requirement if you want to do it right,” he said.

He said the city’s trees are a significant investment. They help improve the air quality, absorb carbon dioxide, and also enhance the beauty of the natural environment.

“That’s a triple-hitter. It’s well worth having and spending some time to think about doing it right,” Patrick said.

Administration will further discuss the city’s tree management policy at an upcoming council meeting.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW