Trees along Lambton’s Lake Huron Shoreline are looking very bare right now.

Gypsy Moths have stripped acres of trees of their leaves, a problem that is particularly noticeable as you drive down Highway 21 through Port Franks to Grand Bend.

Normally lush hardwoods like maples are stripped bare without a leaf in sight.

Jason Cole, Lambton County’s general manager of infrastructure and development services, says the two area forests managed by the county – totalling 640 acres of land – have been hard hit as have properties in Lambton Shores, Sarnia and Plympton-Wyoming.

Cole says trees can withstand the effects of the gypsy moths for one year, but continued leaf loss could kill the trees in the long run.

The solution would be spraying the trees in the spring to kill off the gypsy moths. That would cost Lambton $60,000 for its property alone.

Cole says the two area conservation authorities and municipal leaders met recently to talk about the problem. He says they’re considering a joint response to the problem since if only one property is sprayed it is likely the insects will return from nearby.

Cole says the group is also working with Pinery Provincial Park officials who also have a significant problem.