Grande Prairie is again dealing with an invasion of cottony psyllid. The invasive insect is hurting the health of black ash trees in the city, which is shown by leafless branches or dead trees altogether.
Crews will be removing any city-owned dead or dying black ash trees on boulevards in front of houses this summer. For privately-owned ones, residents are recommended to keep them hydrated.
When it’s dry out, people can run a garden hose set on a trickle near the ends of the branches for an hour. Lawn fertilizing can also help the trees get the nutrients they need, as well as tree injections.
The City of Grande Prairie put a moratorium on planting black ash trees on public lands in 2016. It also runs a tree injection program to try to control cottony psyllid populations.
