City experiencing a cottony pysllid outbreak, black ash trees at risk

Jun 19, 2018 | 2:04 PM

There is an infestation in Grande Prairie that is affecting a certain type of tree.

Acting Integrated Pest Management Coordinator for the City, Amy Needham says the black ash tree is the target for the insect known as the cottony psyllid.

“They’re an invasive pest, along the lines of the emerald ash borer out east that’s killing all the ash trees. This is the same thing, except that it is very specific to black ash trees.”

Needham says the insect was first discovered in Edmonton about 14 years ago and that it was only a matter of time before it found its way to Grande Prairie.

She adds the tree has been increasingly popular in recent years for newer areas of the City.

“It’s a very popular boulevard tree for developments in town that have black ashes, they are a dominant street tree. Obviously, those will be the neighbourhoods that see the most drastic change.”

Needham adds if hydrating and fertilizing a tree isn’t working, you can call an expert to combat the outbreak.

“Phone all the local tree care companies to see if one is doing tree injections for cottony psyllids on black ash. They will either say yes or no. The injections are the only thing that will prolong the trees life during this outbreak.”

The aggressive bug can have a tree completed consumed in two years, one year if the tree is already withered.

Affected trees will show leafless branches or be completely dead.

Removal of dead and dying City owned black ash trees will begin in summer.

by Brady Ratzlaff