An economic analysis of the impact of the Bronze Birch Borer on birch trees in Thunder Bay, Ontario

Abstract

Urban street trees provide many ecosystem services, environmental and economic benefits for residents, communities, cities, and municipalities. The economic benefits of trees are not easily quantified as they have no market value. Since 2011, the bronze birch borer, a specialist wood-boring beetle, has been a pest of birch trees in northern Ontario. A street tree inventory of streets east of Vicker’s Park in Thunder Bay was completed to determine the economic value and annual contributions of the birch trees in this area. To determine the value of the trees, the basic method was used. To calculate annual contributions the i-Tree MyTree benefits calculator was used. The cost of removal and replacement were also determined. Using this data, and assuming all trees would become infested and killed, an economic analysis was completed to determine which of 100% treatment, partial treatment, or removal and replacement was most economically feasible. None of the examined scenarios yielded positive results, however, the most cost-effective solution was 100% treatment of the birch trees.