04/02/2026
Yesterday, I attended a forestry workshop in Winnipeg where attendees were updated on Winnipeg’s latest confirmed findings of the Emerald Ash Borer.
The Emerald Ash Borer, simply put, is a highly destructive, invasive beetle native to Asia that attacks and kills essentially all North American species of ash trees (excluding Blue Ash, which isn’t common in our hardiness zone, and those of the Sorbus genus, like Mountain Ash). Manchurian Ash have also shown resistance but are not spared when the infestation is large and established.
While Winnipeg’s first confirmed infestation dates back to 2017, the beetle has remained under the radar with no tree confirmations since. This past February, a local arborist suspected a tree in the Glenwood community and reached out to local authorities. It was confirmed to be positive and in the days following, the city confirmed that there were 45 public ash trees in close proximity that were positive and have to be removed.
With this finding, Winnipeg’s Urban Forestry Department understood the importance to get local professionals, municipalities, and government officials together and unite in an attempt to tackle the terrible truth that this invasive pest is here and its population is growing.
Being able to see the infested trees in person was invaluable. I have no regrets in attending. While this pest has not been confirmed within the province outside of Winnipeg, it is only realistic that it will spread beyond Winnipeg’s borders.
With Manitoba’s cities’ and towns’ urban forests consisting of mostly American Elm (which are highly vulnerable to Dutch Elm Disease) and ash trees, our urban canopies are at risk of devastation. Emerald Ash Borer is relentless and shows no mercy. There are a couple chemicals that when injected by a professional into the root flare can provide protection for up to two years, however, the cost of injecting every ash is not realistic. Winnipeg has approximately 90,000 public and an estimated 259,000 private ash trees.
The number one thing that everyone can do, is NOT move firewood out of their local communities. One beetle can literally cause the devastation of millions of trees!
