The Emerald Ash Borer is forcing the permanent closure of a portion of a trail at Potter’s Creek Conservation Area.
Part of the Orchard Trail at Potter’s Creek will close permanently on Monday, April 4 due to the severe impacts of the Emerald Ash Borer to the area’s ash trees.
Dead ash trees pose a significant safety hazard as they can fall easily and quickly.
A looped trail is now being designated south of the rail line and around the closed part of the trail so that visitors can still easily access the area.
Visitors are asked to obey signage and to stay on trails clearly marked for use.
Quinte Conservation’s field team will be performing hazard tree removal directly adjacent to the closed trail over the next few weeks.
Affected trees further away from the trail will be left to fall on their own.
Staff will also perform additional naturalization efforts to rehabilitate the area for plants and wildlife.
Quinte Conservation will resume participating in a trial invasive species control program for the Emerald Ash Borer at Potter’s Creek this spring in an attempt to preserve the ash trees that have not yet been impacted and to collect more data for the initiative.
The program had been postponed due to COVID-19.
