Emerald Ash Borer in the Montreal Area

What is Emerald Ash Borer?

EAB is an insect that makes holes in the bark of ash trees to feed on the cambium and phloem of the tree. These channels carry water and nutrients from the tree to its various parts such as branches and leaves. When an ash tree is attacked by the emerald ash borer, sap can no longer circulate in the tree and this causes deterioration of the branches and the trunk.

What are the symptoms of EAB?

The first symptom of an EAB-infested ash tree is deterioration of the tree crown. Then, the tree sheds its leaves in one section and the branch in that section dies. Finally, the tree loses its bark.

A very distinct visual sign is the appearance of small "D"-shaped holes in the bark, at the 4 to 6 feet height mark from the ground up, on the trunk.

Is there a treatment for EAB?

The botanical pesticide TreeAzin® is a preventive treatment for healthy or minimally affected ash trees. Unfortunately, in the vast majority of cases, this treatment only delays felling.

How do I get rid of EAB?

Unfortunately, the only solution to EAB is felling the tree. Cutting down a diseased section of the tree will not solve the problem because its source is at the base of the tree.

What happens if you don't deal with an EAB-affected ash tree?

If the EAB-affected ash tree is not felled, the tree will become a safety hazard to people and surrounding infrastructure because it becomes extremely fragile. Large branches may fall and cause damage.

Do not wait too long to have an EAB-affected ash tree cut down. After a while, the entire tree will be too fragile to climb. A crane will be required, which means using a more time-consuming procedure and increasing the cost.

When can you cut down an ash tree that has EAB?

Some municipalities allow ash trees to be felled year-round while others allow it only after October or December. Consult the list of cities at the bottom of this page for details.

Is EAB contagious?

EAB spreads very quickly wherever there are ash trees. The Montreal area is severely affected. The insects are carried by the wind and an infected tree on a piece of land will contaminate the entire neighbourhood very quickly. Spreading also occurs through humans that move infected wood such as firewood, logs, branches and chips, from one place to the next. For these reasons, it’s important to call on professionals to care for your ash tree.

Fortunately, EAB cannot affect other tree species.

How much does it cost to cut down an ash tree?

Felling an ash tree can cost anywhere between $300 and $10,000 depending on various factors such as the condition and age of the tree, its location and the risks involved around the tree. Call us for a free estimate.

Are there grants available for ash tree felling?

Some municipalities will reimburse up to $1000 for ash tree felling, while other municipalities cover up to 50% of the total cost. Each city is different. Consult the list of municipalities at the bottom of this page for more details.

Municipal regulations for ash tree felling

Each municipality has its own regulations regarding EAB. Some municipalities prohibit the removal of EAB between certain dates. To view your city's EAB regulations, visit the EAB page on your municipality's website.