City officials have been sawing down ash trees in Montreal since 2011 when an emerald ash borer infestation first took aim at at the trees, but one borough has been doing its best to recycle the wood.

The Cote des Neiges-NDG borough alone has axed 400 ash trees and has also put considerable effort into maintaining a useful legacy for the fallen arbor.

“Some logs have been sculpted into benches other logs have been sawed into planks and boards that we will be using to build street furniture. Other logs have been sold to a mill where they will be sawed and turned into planks and furniture,” said Gregg Staniforth, Urban Forester for the Cote des Neiges- NDG borough.

Not all of the wood can be saved but considerable thought has been given to salvaging what has not been spoiled by the invasive insect infestation.

“The insect affects the cambium inside the bark of the tree, often the ash logs are still sound and the wood can be reused for different purposes,” said Staniforth.

The borough also auctioned off many of the dead trees, thus saving disposal costs and also creating a revenue that has been put back into saving the remaining ash trees.

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