Ash trees in the Weston Rd. and Hwy. 7 area of Vaughan are under attack by an invasive threat.

The emerald ash borer has been found in the area, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced Aug. 28.

The CFIA says it will step up tree surveying in the infested zone to determine how widespread the problem is and what measures should be taken to control the bug.

The emerald ash borer threatens both urban and forested areas across Canada and the United States, the CFIA says.

First found in Ontario in 2002, the beetle has already invaded Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa, Chatham-Kent, and Essex, Elgin, Lambton, Middlesex and Norfolk counties.

People moving already-infested wood is the most common method of spreading the bug, says the CFIA, which has asked the public not to move firewood, logs, branches, nursery stock, chips or other ash wood.

Vaughan Today
Online: August 29, 2008 [link]