Invasive beetles and weeds in Guildwood Village

Very soon the City of Toronto will remove ash trees in  Guildwood compromised by the Emerald Ash Borer.
Please visit this site for more information:
City of Toronto- Emerald Ash Borer information

Japanese Beetle, Popillia japonica infestation caused widespread damage to many plants and trees in Eastern Canada.

The damage caused by P. japonica is sustained through the feeding of both the adult and the grub. The adult consumes the plant material resulting in ‘skeletonized’ leaves, while the grub develops within the soil, feeding on the root system of the plant, and thus, affecting plant survival and yield.

The best method I found is handpicking the beetles in our garden and

drowning them in soapy water.

These two species are among the worst invasives because they have the ability to threaten natural areas wherever they occur. Garlic mustard and Dog-strangling vine tend to disperse quickly and widely. 

Once established, they can dominate a site indefinitely as seen in my picture collage and poster from the Ontario Invasive Plants Council.

Both plants are now present in Guildwood Village gardens and parkland.

Once established Garlic mustard and Dog-strangling vine 

are very difficult to control.

Common Buckthorn, European Buckthorn (Ramus cathertica)

 can be seen more and more in our community as well.

European Buckthorn was introduced as an ornamental shrub, but its seeds have been widely scattered by birds and other animals so it is common in fence lines, woodland, pastures and abandoned farmyards throughout southern Ontario.

Look here for more detailed info:

Ontario Invasive Species Awareness program

What can you do?

Dispose of invasive plants in the garbage. Do not put them in the compost or discard them in natural areas. Discarded flowers may produce seeds.

When hiking, prevent the spread of invasive plants by staying on trails, make sure you are not carrying any seeds on your shoes or pants home.

If you’ve seen common buckthorn or other invasive species in the wild, please contact the Invading Species Hotline at 

1-800-563-7711, or report a Sighting online. 

The last collage shows the European Common Reed or Invasive Phragmites.

is an invasive plant causing damage to Ontario’s biodiversity, wetlands and beaches. Invasive Phragmites is a perennial grass that has been damaging ecosystems in Ontario for decades. 

It is not clear how it was transported to North America 

from its native home in Eurasia.

My pictures where taken along the shoreline of Lake Ontario 

and Bluffer's Park.

Ontario Invasive Plants Council