Ontario’s maple trees threatened by longhorn beetles, environment watchdog warns

The iconic maple tree is at risk in Ontario unless the province does more to protect the species from the twin threats of long-horned beetles and climate change, says Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller.

While the beetles have already been found in several areas of the GTA and quarantine zones have been set up for the destruction of any infested broad-leafed trees, beetles “loose and heading north” from New York state could start chewing through maples here within 10 years, Miller warned Tuesday.