More cases of Dutch elm disease identified in Saskatoon
The City of Saskatoon Parks Department has confirmed new positive cases of Dutch elm disease (DED) in three elm trees in the Varsity View neighbourhood, one case in North Park and two in Westmount.
“We cannot be clearer than this: do not store elm wood on your property,” says Thai Hoang, Director of Parks. “Keeping elm wood – whether it is to burn in your fire pit or for other uses – threatens our historic tree canopy which we all love so much. About a quarter of our urban forest is elm.”
Hoang says Parks has conducted 91 tests and so far, received results from 54 trees.
“From those, there have been six trees that have tested positive for Dutch Elm Disease. As part of our response we will be removing a total of eight trees.”
While Hoang points out City Council increased the Parks budget to prevent the spread of DED, he reminds Saskatoon residents they need to check their properties for Elm. City staff have already seized 2000 kg of elm wood in sweeps of the Varsity View neighbourhood following a previous DED tree removal.
Hoang says typically the leaves on American elm trees with DED will start to wilt and turn yellow, then curl and turn brown. He says if anyone suspects an unhealthy elm tree or are unsure of what type of firewood they have, they can take a photo and complete the online form or call Urban Forestry at 306-975-2890.
Hoang reminds residents they can help prevent Dutch elm disease by:
- Never storing elm wood or branches. Don’t buy or take elm wood from anyone and don’t burn it.
- Not pruning elms during the provincial pruning ban (April 1 to August 31).
- Disposing of elm wood at the Saskatoon Landfill.
- Do not take elm to the compost depot or put it in your green bin. Dispose of it immediately, disposal of residential elm wood at the Landfill is free.
“We’re getting a better idea of how the Saskatoon landscape would change if DED were to keep progressing, but it can be curtailed, get rid of elm wood and if you’re not sure what you have send us a picture.”
The City has already initiated its DED Response Plan, which includes:
- Immediate removal of the positive tree(s) and disposal at the City landfill
- Increased surveillance of the surrounding area to search for stored elm wood
- Sampling of symptomatic trees within one kilometre of the infected tree
- Continuing regular elm surveillance and cyclical pruning of trees in parks and on boulevards
What will happen in impacted areas?
Parks staff will be conducting surveillance around impacted areas. Surveillance of these areas includes checking every property for elm firewood or brush and removing it when it is found. If residents are not home, staff will remove the elm wood and leave an Elm Infraction Notice with a note indicating that the wood was removed.
As part of the Forest Resource Management Act, the Provincial Dutch Elm Disease Regulations, 2005 allow inspectors to enter private property to inspect for elm wood, remove elm wood and sample private elm trees. In accordance with the regulations, property owners will be asked to remove and dispose of infected elm trees.
What is DED?
DED is a serious disease caused by a fungus that clogs the elm tree’s water and nutrient conducting system, which eventually causes the tree to die. DED was introduced in North America in the 1930s and has since wiped out millions of elms across Canada and the United States. In Saskatoon, elms make up 25% of our urban forest.
How is DED spread?
In Saskatchewan, the disease is spread by several species of elm bark beetles. These beetles can fly farther than two kilometres in search of elm trees. The DED fungus has tiny spores that stick to the body of the beetle. Elm bark beetles can carry these spores and infect other elm trees. The fungus can also be spread by infected pruning tools.
For more information on DED, visit saskatoon.ca/dutchelmdisease.