Last week the City of Ottawa began removing most of the ash trees from Andrew Haydon Park. This is being done in an effort to control the Emerald Ash Borer, a highly destructive, non-native beetle with no natural predators that could eventually kill every ash tree in North America. There are insecticides that can be used to save ash trees at a cost, which the City of Ottawa is using to save a few of the ash trees in the park, but beyond those few trees the remainder are being removed. Most of the ash trees are confined to the area along the road and parking lots where they lined the road and parking lots. These photos show the now clear-cut eastern parking lot at Andrew Haydon Park. The tree lined parking lots are no more.
 
I think the City of Ottawa could have done more to save some of the trees in the park. Many of the ash trees were already losing their bark and appeared sickly. They could not be saved, but many of the ash trees were still healthy and at $200 per tree, the insecticide option seems cheaper than removal. It would have also helped preserve some of the environment and shade in the park while the replacement trees grew.