The Guild Disaster Zone

The end of 2013 was a catastrophic year for the Guild Park. Two problems came together creating the perfect storm. The first problem is one that is been discussed almost to the point of obliviousness, especially as it pertains to the Guild, the Emerald Ash Borer or EAB. The second problem that created a disaster for the guild is the ice storm that slammed Toronto in late December of 2013.

Together the Ice Storm and the EAB have spelt disaster for the forest that is the majority of the 88-acre Guild park. After the storm, the City of Toronto took down trees that were uprooted by the ice storm, most of which were ashes already weakened from the EAB.

Since the storm, the city Parks and Forestry division tasked arborists with the identification and removal of the Guilds Ash Trees, which make up 60% of the canopy of the Guild although it is no longer the recommended way to manage trees with EAB. Since identifying and cutting down the trees the logs have been precariously piled and left in the park as the city has not found someone to take them away. I heard about this reading another news article from the Bluffs Monitor, which was published at the beginning of the month, so I had to see these piles for my self and sure enough, as of the date of writing, they were still piled in a park, almost inviting someone to climb on top of them, and that kids is dangerous!

~ Jack Henry

Sources:

Johnston, Larry. “Guild Wood Disaster.” Bluffs Monitor. April 2014. 1. Print

Adler, Mike. “Wounded Guild Park will heal, meeting told.” The Scarborough Mirror. 10 April 2014. 1. Print.