Renewing the land

Ash borer eating its way through Aylmer

Laurent Robillard-Cardinal

When residents of Thomas-Sayer Road saw heavy machinery arrive this spring on Renaud Farm’s property, some worried that more housing development was coming to Aylmer, but it’s not the case.

“We have about 58 acres, 40 of which are ash trees, and for two years the trees were infected. We explained our problem to the city. We completed a forest survey and the firm recommended cutting the trees, which were rotting. The city approved this and we obtained our permits in January to cut the trees,” explained Jeff Renaud from the Les Fermes Renaud on Eardley Road.

Mr Renaud also reassured nearby residents that the recovered wood was put to good use. “We sent the wood to Thurso to be transformed into wood chips for electricity, and some was sold as firewood,” he reports.

With a large part of his lot cleared, Renaud intends on cultivating the land by initially growing buckwheat (and plowing it in) to rebuild the humus. “We may grow hay or vegetables. It depends on the market,” noted Renaud.

Before cultivating the land again, Renaud will remove the stumps with specialized equipment. “We will grind up the wood and mix it in the soil before planting crops,” he explained. The farm also intends to set up beehives which will help with pollination.

Mr Renaud reassures animal lovers that the deer will now have something new to eat.