Join the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup on the evening of June 14th 2018 to celebrate successes within the Detroit River watershed! We are pleased to welcome representatives from the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority to provide an overview of the imminent Gordie Howe International Bridge project. The DRCC annual report will also be released with several project presentation updates from the last year.

On April 24th, Windsor City Councilor John Elliott, and Windsor Port Authority president and CEO David Cree invited the public out to unveil the new sign installed during the ceremony that marked the official opening of the Queen's Dock park. This new community space is located at the end of Mill Street in Olde Sandwich Towne, overlooking the Detroit River.

Located in the new park is a native plant garden initiated by the Windsor Port Authority

with support from the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup, Essex Region Conservation and volunteer support from the Sandwich Team Action Group, Native Trees and Plants, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Union Gas. Now you can sit by the Detroit River and watch the garden bloom all season! 

Oak wilt is a disease that affects all oak species and is caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum. This fungus grows on the outer sapwood of oak trees and restricts the flow of water and nutrients, causing the leaves to wilt. Often times it means rapid mortality of the oak tree, infected  oak trees can pass the disease to adjacent oak trees through grafted root systems.  Oak wilt is not present in Canada yet, but was detected on Belle Isle in the Detroit River two years ago. 

 

Detection is an essential step to stop oak wilt from further spreading if it reaches Canada. Early detection allows for rapid response and control of the disease to protect Canadian oaks. If landowners suspect their tree has  or died of oak wilt they should contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Some signs and symptoms include leaves turning dull green, brown or yellow or even discolouration from the middle to the edge. Also, wilting and bronzing of the leaves at the top of the tree, moving down to the ground. Leaves falling off prematurely, white, grey or black fungal mats under the bark that smell fruity and vertical bark cracks in the trunk due to the fungal mats. Landowners may also seek advice from local forest agencies, or certified Tree care professionals regarding tree health concerns.

 

Preventing oak wilt from entering and establishing itself in Canada is a way we can protect oak trees. Here are some steps to follow:

• Do not move firewood, as there may be live fungal spores
• Do not prune or damage oak trees between April and July as this is prime time for fungal spread. If pruning is necessary, paint a thin layer of wound paint on the pruning area immediately to prevent the attraction of the netidulid beetles that are a vector in oak wilt movement
• Learn how to identify oak wilt signs and symptoms by visiting the Forest Invasives webpage here and download the oak wilt fact sheet. Also, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Oak Wilt Fact Sheet is informative. Click  here to read it.
• Educate others on this issue, especially those who have oak trees on their property or in their neighbourhood
• Report signs and symptoms of oak wilt immediately to Canadian Food Inspection Agency by visiting www.inspection.gc.ca/pests