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The Rural Voice, 2004-12, Page 56WE WANT YOUR GRAIN Elevator - Seaforth 519-527-1241 • Corn • Soybeans • Feed Grains • Feed Ingredients • Food Quality Soybeans CASH & FORWARD CONTRACTS Call us today for Quotes Dave Gordon Elizabeth Armstrong Richard Smibert lan Carter Scott Krakar DWI% london agricultural commodities, inc. 1615 NORTH ROUTLEDGE PARK UNIT 43 LONDON, ONTARIO, N6H 5L6 519-473-9333 Toll -Free 1-800-265-1885 52 THE RURAL VOICE Woodlot Management The advance of the forest invaders Steve Bowers is a forester and forest owner, a member of the Huron - Perth Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot ,4 ssociation and Stewardship Co-ordinator with the Huron Stewardship Council. A year ago this column focussed on two non-native forest insect pests recently discovered in Ontario, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and the Asian Long -horned Beetle (ALHB). A couple of weeks ago I attended a meeting dealing with forest health issues and their current status. Not surprisingly, a Targe portion of the agenda was dedicated to these two critters, efforts made over the past year to control them and speculation on what to expect in the coming year. Control for both pests has involved intensive surveys to find infected trees, followed by removal and destruction of both the infected trees and all potential host trees within a specified radius. The attempt to slow or stop the spread of EAB in Kent and Essex Counties by creating an ash -free zone received considerable media attention, particularly after one of the contractors removed some walnut trees in error. One of the main questions on people's minds is, "Have these efforts been successful?" The ash free zone was not successful in stopping the spread of EAB. It may have had some impact in slowing the rate of spread, but unfortunately, a number of infection sites were discovered this year in the Chatham area past the ash -free zone. Eradication efforts will now be implemented in this area. Surveys were carried out throughout southern Ontario, without locating any other sites of infestation. While the EAB can fly, the most rapid spread is likely to occur through transporting infected firewood, logs or nursery stock. As a result, surveys focussed in high risk areas adjacent to campgrounds and sawmills. Unfortunately, it is a very difficult insect to survey for, particularly when present at low levels. Trees can be infested for a couple of years without showing visible symptoms. Decline can then occur very rapidly. Surveys in 2005 will be critical in evaluating control efforts and predicting how rapidly this pest may spread. It seems unlikely that we can stop the spread of EAB. However, there may be benefit in slowing its spread in hopes that natural controls catch up. In Asia, where the insect occurs naturally, it is not very common. Hopefully that is due to natural predator/parasite complexes keeping it in check that will eventually catch up to it here. The situation seems a little more promising for the ALHB. Officials are optimistic that they have been successful in eradicating most of the insect -infested trees. Ongoing inspection and eradication will be required for several more years before they can definitely claim success. In the meantime, there will likely be setbacks, as happened within the last couple of weeks, when surveyors found additional infested trees near previously infested sites. Besides eradication of infected trees, the primary tool for agency staff trying to limit the spread of these pests is a quarantine that restricts movement of wood or wood products out of the infested area (i.e. anything that could harbour the insect in any part of its life cycle). In spite of massive communication campaigns relating to these pests. it seems the message isn't getting through to everyone. In north Toronto, landscaping firms have been caught moving firewood and wood products out of the area of quarantine. Provincial Parks implemented a system this year where their How Safe Is Your Chimney? For safety's sake INVESTIGATE Let us show you how a "Chimtek" chimney can give you savings on both your firewood and your money, besides the all-important safety feature. CHIMTEKr" Double lined - double insulated SAFEST & most efficient durable masonry chimney! Less money goes up the -1111111--- chimney in the form of r excessive smoke & T.�t, ���� unburned gasses! , - CNmrtk 4 _ msr Un,, L"-7�� %r91 For info contact Immo, sn•.ry u.. 7 „oi. EBERSOL MASONRY CHIMNEY SUPPLY Line 67 # 4922, R.R. #2, Milverton, ON NOK IMO Voice Mail 519-595.4919 or Frank at 519-699-4092 WE WANT YOUR GRAIN Elevator - Seaforth 519-527-1241 • Corn • Soybeans • Feed Grains • Feed Ingredients • Food Quality Soybeans CASH & FORWARD CONTRACTS Call us today for Quotes Dave Gordon Elizabeth Armstrong Richard Smibert lan Carter Scott Krakar DWI% london agricultural commodities, inc. 1615 NORTH ROUTLEDGE PARK UNIT 43 LONDON, ONTARIO, N6H 5L6 519-473-9333 Toll -Free 1-800-265-1885 52 THE RURAL VOICE Woodlot Management The advance of the forest invaders Steve Bowers is a forester and forest owner, a member of the Huron - Perth Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot ,4 ssociation and Stewardship Co-ordinator with the Huron Stewardship Council. A year ago this column focussed on two non-native forest insect pests recently discovered in Ontario, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and the Asian Long -horned Beetle (ALHB). A couple of weeks ago I attended a meeting dealing with forest health issues and their current status. Not surprisingly, a Targe portion of the agenda was dedicated to these two critters, efforts made over the past year to control them and speculation on what to expect in the coming year. Control for both pests has involved intensive surveys to find infected trees, followed by removal and destruction of both the infected trees and all potential host trees within a specified radius. The attempt to slow or stop the spread of EAB in Kent and Essex Counties by creating an ash -free zone received considerable media attention, particularly after one of the contractors removed some walnut trees in error. One of the main questions on people's minds is, "Have these efforts been successful?" The ash free zone was not successful in stopping the spread of EAB. It may have had some impact in slowing the rate of spread, but unfortunately, a number of infection sites were discovered this year in the Chatham area past the ash -free zone. Eradication efforts will now be implemented in this area. Surveys were carried out throughout southern Ontario, without locating any other sites of infestation. While the EAB can fly, the most rapid spread is likely to occur through transporting infected firewood, logs or nursery stock. As a result, surveys focussed in high risk areas adjacent to campgrounds and sawmills. Unfortunately, it is a very difficult insect to survey for, particularly when present at low levels. Trees can be infested for a couple of years without showing visible symptoms. Decline can then occur very rapidly. Surveys in 2005 will be critical in evaluating control efforts and predicting how rapidly this pest may spread. It seems unlikely that we can stop the spread of EAB. However, there may be benefit in slowing its spread in hopes that natural controls catch up. In Asia, where the insect occurs naturally, it is not very common. Hopefully that is due to natural predator/parasite complexes keeping it in check that will eventually catch up to it here. The situation seems a little more promising for the ALHB. Officials are optimistic that they have been successful in eradicating most of the insect -infested trees. Ongoing inspection and eradication will be required for several more years before they can definitely claim success. In the meantime, there will likely be setbacks, as happened within the last couple of weeks, when surveyors found additional infested trees near previously infested sites. Besides eradication of infected trees, the primary tool for agency staff trying to limit the spread of these pests is a quarantine that restricts movement of wood or wood products out of the infested area (i.e. anything that could harbour the insect in any part of its life cycle). In spite of massive communication campaigns relating to these pests. it seems the message isn't getting through to everyone. In north Toronto, landscaping firms have been caught moving firewood and wood products out of the area of quarantine. Provincial Parks implemented a system this year where their