Invasive Manitoba maples to be removed from New Hamburg dike

The dike over the Nith Riverin New Hamburg is "heavily overgrown" with invasive Manitoba maples which will be removed in the coming weeks.

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The dike is used for flood management in New Hamburg. The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will begin a project during the last week of November to remove the trees, many of which have split or fallen and have exposed root balls a mass of roots at the base of the tree.

"As these Manitoba maples die, if they happen to fall over, their root ball can be exposed creating either cavities or holes in the edge of the dike," GRCA spokesman Cam Linwood said. "They can risk the integrity of the dike."

Three-week project

The trees, along with other shrubs and invasive plant species, will be removed from the face of the dike and replaced with grass.

It's the first time the GRCA has done this kind of work in New Hamburg, although staff have done a similar project in Brantford and the Bridgeport area of Cambridge.

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The work in New Hamburg will be along the Nith River behind the Sobeys, between Burns and Mill Streets.

Contractors have been hired to complete the project at a cost of $50,000. It will take three weeks to complete.

Linwood said residents may notice the sound of wood chippers in the areabut otherwise should not be disturbed by the work. While it's not an area the public frequents and there are no trails, residents are advised to steer clear.