Make a tree-mendous impact this August for Tree Check Month
News release
August is Tree Check Month and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is calling on Canadians of all ages to take a few minutes to inspect the trees and plants around them for signs of invasive pests. Look in your yard, garden, local park—or even on your vehicle or outdoor gear. Early detection is key to stopping the spread.
Why it matters
Invasive pests threaten Canada’s agriculture, agri-food, fertilizer, and forestry sectors. They damage plants and trees, disrupt ecosystems, and put key exports like grains, fresh produce, and forest products at risk. These industries generate $150 billion annually and support over 2.3 million Canadian jobs.
The cost of doing nothing
Once invasive pests arrive, they’re difficult—and expensive—to control. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent every year trying to manage outbreaks. Pests like the emerald ash borer and hemlock woolly adelgid have already devastated forests and urban trees across Canada.
We’re monitoring closely for the Spotted Lanternfly, which has not yet reached Canada, but is present in the United States near the Canadian border. This pest can be particularly harmful to vineyards and orchards across the country.
The good news – You can help
Many invasive pests spread because of human activity—moving firewood, camping gear, or vehicles between regions. But simple actions like checking your trees, you car, your camper or RV, reporting suspicious signs, and not transporting firewood can make a big difference.
Get tips and tools to help protect our trees and forests: Tree check month.
Quotes
“Protecting the health of Canada’s plants and trees is a shared responsibility—one that supports our food supply, environment, and economy. At the CFIA, we are committed to working with Canadians and industry partners to prevent the spread of invasive pests and safeguard the natural resources that sustain us all.”
– Paul MacKinnon, President, CFIA
Quick facts
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The emerald ash borer (EAB), is a destructive insect that kills ash trees by tunneling under the bark and disrupting the tree’s nutrient flow. It spreads through the movement of infested firewood, nursery stock, and by flying naturally. To help stop the spread of EAB, avoid moving firewood and regularly check ash trees for signs like:
o D-shaped exit holes in the bark
o Winding, serpentine tunnels beneath the bark
o Sudden dying back of the tree canopy
o Increased woodpecker activity searching for larvae
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The hemlock woolly adelgid is a tiny invasive insect that feeds on sap at the base of hemlock needles, causing needle loss and tree decline. It spreads through infested nursery stock, firewood, and natural movement. To help prevent its spread, avoid moving hemlock materials and check trees regularly for signs like:
o White woolly clusters at needle bases
o Grey or dropping needles
o Branch dieback and thinning canopy
o Overall tree decline
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Other pests of concern include the box tree moth, which causes severe damage to boxwood plants, and the Japanese beetle, a destructive pest under eradication efforts in British Columbia. Both continue to pose serious threats to Canadian agriculture and ecosystems. Spongy moth is an invasive species whose larvae can defoliate a wide range of deciduous trees and shrubs and significantly impact forest ecosystems and urban landscapes. Oak Wilt is a destructive disease affecting oak trees across North America, causing rapid decline and death.
Associated links
Contacts
Media Relations
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
613-773-6600
cfia.media.acia@inspection.gc.ca
Stay connected
X: @InspectionCan
Facebook: CFIACanada
LinkedIn: canadian-food-inspection-agency
Instagram: cfia_canada
YouTube: Canadian Food Inspection Agency
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) touches the lives of all Canadians in so many positive ways. Each day, hard-working CFIA employees—including inspectors, veterinarians, and scientists—inspect food for safety risks, protect plants from pests, including invasive species, and respond to animal diseases that could threaten Canada’s national herd and human health. Guided by science-based decision-making and modern regulations, the Agency works tirelessly to ensure access to safe and healthy food in Canada and supports access to international markets for our high-quality agricultural products. To learn more, visit inspection.canada.ca.