News Release - City Monitoring for Dutch Elm Disease

A comprehensive Dutch elm disease (DED) survey was recently completed on Yorkton’s urban forest. On July 7 and 8, 2024, Living Tree Environmental Ltd. conducted a full visual inspection of American elm trees within the boundaries of the city to identify and mark for removal all DED symptomatic trees, and to detect any elm wood storage/pruning violations. The transportation and storage of elm wood is illegal, and elm pruning is prohibited from April 1 to August 31 as per the Saskatchewan Dutch Elm Disease Regulations, 2005.

While no DED regulation violations were found, two dead elm trees on private property were identified, and one symptomatic tree was submitted for testing and confirmation. DED continues to threaten the urban forest, with recent positive tests identified in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2023.

As part of the urban forestry management program, and out of an abundance of caution, the City’s DED Response Plan was activated, which includes:

• Immediate removal of the dead and symptomatic elm trees.
• Disposal of the trees at the City landfill.
• Sampling of adjacent trees for testing.
• Surveillance and testing of private and public trees in the surrounding area, with an intensive search for elm material and other sources of infection.

“The most likely cause of DED in these situations is the storage and transportation of elm firewood.” said Matt Charney, Parks Manager with the City of Yorkton. “As a proactive measure, we are remiding residents of the current elm pruning ban, asking residents to help the City identify any elm wood cutting that may be stored in yards and back alleys. Those with questions or concerns about elm trees and DED can also contact the City for assistance. ” said Charney.

What is DED?

DED is a serious disease caused by a fungus that clogs the elm tree’s water and nutrient conducitng system, which eventually causes the tree to die. DED was introduced in North America is the 1930s and has since killed millions of elm trees across Canada and the United States. In Yorkton, elms make up 25% of the public urban forest.

How is DED spread?

The disease is spread by several spicies of elm bark beetles. These beetles can fly farther than two kilometers 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.

You can help prevent DED by:

• Not pruning elms during the provincial pruning ban (April 1 to August 31).
• Not bringing elm wood into the city, storing elm wood, or burning elm firewood.
• Always disposing of elm wood at the City landfill.
• Sanitizing tools after working on elm trees.
• Not building treehouses in elm trees, as the nail and screw holes can attract elm bark beetles.
• Reporting dead or dying elm trees or branches to the City, or to a professional arborist.

How to identify and report unhealthy elm trees and firewood:

Elm trees with DED may start showing symptoms as early as June. Typically, the leaves will start to wilt and turn yellow, then curl and turn brown.

Should residents suspect an unhealthy elm tree, or are unsure of what type of firewood they have, the City encourages them to contact the Recreation & Community Services department at 306-786-1750, email parksandrec@yorkton.ca, or submit a request online at www.yorkton.ca/dutchelmdisease for assistance.

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