DUTCH ELM DISEASE IDENTIFIED IN ONE SASKATOON TREE

One case of Dutch Elm Disease (DED) has been confirmed in Saskatoon after an Elm sample sent in to the provincial lab by the City of Saskatoon’s Pest Management staff, came back positive.

In accordance with the City’s DED Response Plan, which requires immediate removal of all positive trees, crews today began removing the infected tree located in the Queen Elizabeth neighbourhood. Also in accordance with the City’s DED Response Plan, inspectors will follow up and search Queen Elizabeth neighbourhood yards in efforts to pinpoint a source.

Saskatoon’s DED Response Plan requires:

-Immediate removal of all positive trees
-Disposal of infected trees at City of Saskatoon landfill
-Sampling of adjacent trees
-Surveillance and testing of private and public trees in the surrounding area with an intensive search for elm material and other sources of infection 
-Place five additional elm bark beetle adult pheromone traps in the area to monitor bark beetle populations

“Dutch Elm Disease is a serious disease of the American elm,” says Darren Crilly, Director of Parks. “The disease was introduced into North America in the 1930s, and has wiped out millions of elms across Canada and the United States. Dutch Elm Disease has been present in Saskatchewan since the 1980s and Saskatoon remained free of it, until now.”

American elm trees with DED may start showing symptoms as early as the month of June. Typically, the leaves will start to wilt and turn yellow, then curl and turn brown. Residents who start to notice any of these symptoms, are encouraged to call City of Saskatoon Pest Management at 306-975-3300.

Residents can help prevent DED by:

-Not pruning elms during provincial pruning ban (April 1 to August 31)
-Not storing or transporting any Elm firewood (Provincial regulations prohibit the storing or transporting of Elm firewood)
-Dispose of all Elm wood at the City Landfill

More information on DED, including pruning deadline information, is available at saskatoon.ca