To some of us, it may not seem like a big deal on the surface.Probe a little deeper, though, and it's plainly apparent the potential is there for the issue of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) to be a much more significant one - within and beyond North York's borders.
By way of background, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency discovered an infestation of the emerald ash borer beetle, which originated in central Asia but made its way to North America sometime in the 1990s, in a townhouse complex in the Sheppard Avenue East and Hwy. 404 area about three weeks ago. Further testing ultimately confirmed the infestation, which was officially announced earlier this week.
The emerald ash borer is impervious to pesticides; the speed with which they can kill healthy ash trees - as quickly two years - has the CFIA's lead specialist on the insect calling the ash borer "one of the worst species to ever enter North America."
There's a tendency, with occurrences like these, to simply shrug one's shoulders. Admittedly, this story is about a beetle, harmless to humans, that is killing one variety of tree in a decidedly urban environment. It's understandable that the state of the area's forest growth doesn't leap to mind as a top priority.
There's more to it, though.
The ash represents about six per cent of the city's public tree canopy - hardly an insignificant total. Given the social, environmental, and yes, economic benefits the makeup of an urban forest provides, it makes sense to raise awareness that there's more substance to the issue and that necessary steps be taken to preserve and protect for future generations.
While this recent discovery is the first reported infestation in Toronto and any sort of estimate would be vague at best, it's fair to say that should the infestation become more widespread, there would be a cost to municipalities and ultimately, you the taxpayer.
In the meantime, a five-kilometre quarantine radius around the infestation, which prohibits the movement of ash trees, firewood and other related material, is now in place. It's important that homeowners help by checking their trees and reporting any unusual findings. Anyone in the area who believes they have an infestation can visit the CFIA website at www.inspection.gc.ca or by calling 1-866-463-6017.
Generally speaking, given the artificial environment that comes with an urban area, regular tree maintenance is a sound idea no matter what the variety.
After all, just because some things are out of sight doesn't mean they should be out of mind.