The Kanata Lakes Community Association

Join us at the Mlacak Centre off Campeau Drive on March 27th, 7 - 9 pm, to hear a panel discussion on what we can do to protect our trees against the Emerald Ash Borer, and the equity in our homes that these trees provide!

The meeting is a joint presentation of KLCA and Ecology Ottawa.

Please RSVP at Ecology Ottawa.

KLCA's VP Environment, Adam Caldwell, has a write-up for you here.

Lastly, see below for a letter sent from Mario Poirier, who has already begun an inventory of properties with Ash trees, for more details on the meeting.

To: Kanata Lakes residents who own ash tree(s) on their properties

From: Mario & Marilyn Poirier, Guardians of the Beaver Pond and Kimmins Parks

Subject: Notice of a public meeting on the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation

Wednesday, March 27^th, 7:00pm to 9:00 pm.

Mlacak Centre, Hall D

Agenda: Briefings by experts from the City of Ottawa Forestry, Ecology Ottawa, KLCA, Q&A

Dear neighbours and homeowners:

The Emerald Ash Borer, a green wood-boring beetle, is killing millions of ash trees in Eastern North America, Kanata Lakes included. It indiscriminately attacks ash trees, whether they are healthy or weak, small or large, young or old. In an informal survey carried out last summer, we were identified as owning an ash tree, or as having an ash tree very close to our properties. If our ash trees do not get treated soon, they will become infected, they will die, and they will have to be removed at high cost by specialists trained in the disposal of diseased/dead trees.

There are many benefits to keeping mature trees healthy on our properties. Sizable trees enhance the curb appeal of our homes, improve their aesthetics, and anchor our gardens. They create a peaceful welcoming ambiance in our yards, cool our houses in the summer and improve air quality. They establish the large urban canopy and habitat essential for the survival of the varied wildlife we see all year long.

Most importantly, mature trees do add thousands of dollars (between 10% to 15% according to several studies) to property values. This is especially true in established leafy areas like Kanata Lakes where valuable homes are marketed at a premium because of their integration with natural spaces.

In short, healthy trees enrich our quality of life and sustain the appreciable investment we have made in our homes here.

Around us, ash trees have now reached 25+ years of age and are delivering the many benefits derived from their presence. Unfortunately, given the rapid spread of EAB, ash trees that do not get treated soon will die - an instant loss of the value they provide. Protecting an ash tree with the proven insecticide TreeAzin^TM costs a few hundred dollars every 2 years. Disposing of a dead one can cost a couple of thousands of dollars and immediately takes away a good chunk of the equity of our homes.

The City of Ottawa is busy protecting ash trees on public property. Privately-owned ash trees remain the responsibility of each of us homeowners. The public meeting at coordinates above aims to provide us with the information we need to decide individually the best course of action with the trees we own.

We have included an informative brochure produced by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Doing a Google search on "Emerald Ash Borer" yields a wealth of information on this infestation. In particular, the following excellent links are worth perusing:

City of Ottawa portal on the emerald ash borer:

http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/water-and-environment/trees-and-community-forests/emerald-ash-borer

List of local authorized treatment providers:

http://bioforest.ca/index.cfm?MenuID=16&PageID=1047

Impact of mature trees on property value:

http://www.realty101.com/value-of-a-tree-in-your-yard

Looking forward to seeing many of you at the public meeting on the 27^th of March.

Mario & Marilyn Poirier

228 Walden Drive