Some trees in the Owen Sound Harbour infested by the invasive Emerald Ash Borer are going to be cut down.
City officials say 15 ash trees in the inner harbour area between 1155 1st Avenue West and 11th Street West are showing signs of infestation and will be removed.
Each tree will be replaced with a new one during the fall 2022 planting season.
The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle native to Asia which attacks and kills all species of ash tree.
Its presence was confirmed in Owen Sound in 2018.
“At the federal level, ‘invasive’ refers to a species that has moved outside of its native habitat and threatens the new environment, economy or society by disrupting local ecosystems,” a statement from the city explains.
Owen Sound developed an Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan in 2014 in response to the pending threat. The plan details the impacts of the invasive species on ash trees, and outlines options for managing infestation.
In all, Owen Sound has 1,092 inventoried ash trees.
A release from the city says 165 significant ash trees were inoculated against Emerald Ash Borer in recent years.
More than 20 per cent of Grey County forest is made up of trees susceptible to Emerald Ash Borer, according to information provided by the city.