Tree replacement program in London could take years

The Emerald Ash borer beetle is destroying Toronto's trees.

It could be a decade before the Forest City sees the replacement of 10,000 ash trees.

As the damaged trees are removed on lawns and in parks, London promised two new trees for each one chopped down.

The problem is a lack of funds, a new report going to city council says.

Some homeowners aren’t pleased.

Josh Tomarelli’s street was decimated when the trees were removed.

“It's shocking, you know, because there's a lot of trees here,” he says.

The 10,000 ash trees were killed by the emerald ash borer.

The replacement strategy is moving slowly and at the rate it is going, it could take eight to 10 years to replace all of the trees.

Coun. Stephen Orser said the issue needs to be addressed immediately.

“It’s unacceptable. We are not going to be leaving stumps in front of peoples’ houses. We need trees.”