The invasive pest, known as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), is spreading westward as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirms the infestation in Winnipeg, Manitoba on December 7.

Other than a small and somewhat contained outbreak in Boulder, Colorado in 2013, this marks the farthest west that the EAB has spread to date.

It is estimated that the city of Winnipeg has over 350,000 ash trees within its limits meaning that the sighting of the EAB could have devastating effects in a very short time.

Effective immediately, the movement of all ash tree related products from the city of Winnipeg to a non-restricted area is prohibited. This includes firewood, wood chippings, branches and leaves from all types of ash trees.

In the coming months, the city of Manitoba will be planting different types of trees in order to boost diversity and prevent further spreading of the EAB.

For more in-depth information on the EAB visit this link: https://www.landscapearchitect.com/research/article-a.php?number=29772.