Dutch Elm Disease spreading through Saskatoon

The City of Saskatoon has confirmed that the city is experiencing the highest volume of Dutch Elm Disease it’s ever seen.

91 tests have been conducted on elm trees so far.

Director of Parks, Thai Hoang, shared that 6 trees have tested positive for Dutch Elm Disease and 8 trees will be removed. 3 of the trees were found in the Varsity View neighborhood, 2 were found in Westmount and 1 was identified in North Park.

Hoang shared that as the disease continues to spread, Saskatoon could begin to look bare.

“Keeping elm wood, whether it is to burn in your fire pit or for other uses, (it) threatens our historic tree canopy which we all love so much. About a quarter of our urban forest is elm.” said Hoang.

New trees are being planted to replace the ones being cut down, but Hoang said it can take decades for a tree to fully grow. Many of the trees in Saskatoon’s urban forest are up to 100 years old.

Dutch Elm Disease is a disease caused by fungus in trees which clogs it’s conducting systems, causing the tree to die. The disease is spread by Elm Bark Beetles that can carry the fungus. These beetles can travel as far as 2 kilometers to infect other elm trees. Since the 1930s, Dutch Elm Disease has wiped out millions of trees across Canada and the United States.

Hoang said the city has initiated it’s response plan to help remove infected trees and stored elm wood in infected areas.

“Since August 21, we have committed over 200 hours of person time towards that effort and disposed of over 2000 kilograms of elm wood,” he said. “So it is a very resource intensive activity.”

Hoang shared how to spot a tree that may have Dutch Elm Disease.

“The trees will generally show signs of stress,” he said. “The leaves will start curling and yellowing.”

The Saskatoon Landfill offers a free drop off program to dispose of elm wood. If anyone suspects a diseased tree, Hoang said that they can submit a photo of it to the cities online form or call Urban Forestry at 306-975-2890.