Hampton Park to lose 370 ash trees due to emerald ash borer

Work began Tuesday to remove some 370 ash trees from Hampton Park after the trees were identified as having been infested with the emerald ash borer.

The tree removal at the park northwest of Island Park Drive and the Queensway is expected to continue until Feb. 3, according to the National Capital Commission.

The off-leash dog area of the park is not affected, but some paths were closed as tree removal began.

The destructive and invasive emerald ash borer first appeared in Canada in 2002 and in Ottawa in 2008. The city has removed more than 15,000 dead or dying trees infested with the emerald ash borer since 2009.