There are concerns over a range of invasive forest pests threatening our local forests including
the emerald ash borer, Asian long-horned beetle, beech bark disease, and hemlock wooly
adelgid. This report provides an overview of forest pests in the Parry Sound-Muskoka area, as
well as pests that might arrive in the near future. Where possible, control measures and
references (for further reading) are provided within this report. Since many of these pests arrive
from southern Ontario, and some are at risk of spreading north from this region, the best practice
for residents and cottagers is to not bring/move firewood, skids, and wood products.
The loss and/or decline of tree species such as elm, ash, American beech, American chestnut,
hemlock, butternut, and potentially red oak, will continue to have a significant influence
(augmented by climate change, invasive species) on, species-at-risk, biodiversity, wildlife,
natural heritage areas etc. It is a scary prospect but one thing we have learned over time is that
trees are incredibly resilient and much more able to adapt to these changes than we give them
credit for. That’s something to keep in mind for the future.
Read the full report here –>>
Township of the Archipelago_Forest Health Report 2015