Latest news with #DutchElmDisease
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Dutch Elm Disease spreading in Regina
WATCH: Dutch Elm Disease is spreading in Regina, with city officials confirming 18 new cases in the past two weeks. Wayne Mantyka reports.
CBC
3 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Dutch elm disease detected in north Edmonton as city battles deadly tree fungus
Social Sharing A devastating and highly contagious tree fungus has been detected in north Edmonton, the latest case of a deadly disease that puts Edmonton's vast canopy of urban elms under threat. In a statement this week, city officials confirmed that a new case of Dutch elm disease has been detected in Edmonton. The infected tree in the north Edmonton neighbourhood of Alberta Avenue, as well as any elms within a 20-metre radius, will be removed as part of ongoing efforts to contain the spread. The infected tree was recently spotted by city crews along the boulevard. A positive result was received from a provincial lab on Wednesday, marking the sixth confirmed case of the disease since it was first detected in Edmonton last August. The contagious fungal infection — spread by elm bark beetles and spores from infected wood — pose a major risk to other elm in the vicinity, the city said. Extensive additional testing in the area is underway. City officials have been monitoring the infection in partnership with federal officials since it was first detected in the city last summer with case numbers expected to rise. According to a statement Friday, a total of 369 elms have been removed in the city to date as part of ongoing containment efforts. The total includes two destroyed so far in Alberta Avenue. "This additional confirmed case does not change our approach as we continue assessments, removals and testing in co-ordination with the province and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency," said Mark Beare, Edmonton's director of infrastructure operations, in a statement. "While any positive test is disappointing, we remain confident that this collaborative approach is helping to limit the spread of the disease." Urban forests under threat Dutch elm disease poses a threat to all species of elm in Alberta. The fungus, caused by microfungi that infiltrate a tree and clogs its water-conducting systems, has killed millions of elms in North America over the past century and has begun to proliferate across Prairie cities. In Edmonton, the potential losses are particularly acute. The capital region is home to more than 90,000 city-owned elms, accounting for more than 22 per cent of Edmonton's urban forest canopy. The city has been bracing for years for the potential arrival of the destructive fungus as it crept west across the country, devastating urban forest canopies. An action plan, now being implemented to limit the damage, was first developed in 2020. In an effort to slow the spread, crews have been conducting routine inspections along Edmonton's tree-lined streets and boulevards, watching for signs of infection. More than 55,000 trees citywide have been assessed for signs of infection. Any elms that appear sickly – with telltale wilting yellow leaves – are tested, and trees believed to be infected are immediately destroyed. An ongoing program to remove deadwood in elms is also necessary to reduce the habitat of the beetles, which may spread the fungus, the city said. "City arborists, urban foresters and the pest management team remain vigilant as we continue implementing the established Dutch elm disease management plan, including intensified surveillance of elm trees," Beare said. The infection has to date been detected in northeast Edmonton in the Killarney and Yellowhead Corridor East neighbourhoods. Enhanced monitoring and assessments of trees within a one-kilometre radius of the infected trees remain in place, the city said. Edmontonians are encouraged to report any signs of infestation to 311. Infected trees may have dead branches or browning leaves. Their trunks may have holes or sawdust on the bark from burrowing beetles. The city is also reminding Edmontonians not to bring firewood from elsewhere, to properly prune elms during the colder seasons and properly dispose of any deadwood or clippings at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Dutch Elm Disease found in trees at Regina's Wascana Centre
The province says two trees in Wascana Centre have been removed after testing positive for Dutch Elm Disease. According to the province, the trees were removed July 14 near Goose Hill and the Saskatchewan Science Centre. Since 2015, there have been five confirmed cases of Dutch Elm Disease in Wascana Centre, the province said. One case in 2014, one in 2019, one in 2024 and two in 2025. The Provincial Capital Commission (PCC) is responsible for the maintenance and future of the urban forest in the Wascana Centre as well as around Government House. 'Elm trees are an important part of Regina's tree canopy cover,' PCC executive director Jenna Schroeder said in a news release. 'Wascana Centre is proud to be a place where friends and families can gather and enjoy the outdoors at one of our many picnic spots.' 'To ensure the continued health of our trees, we remind visitors that it is illegal to transport, store or buy elm firewood,' she added. Wascana Centre also released its master plan for growth moving forward earlier this month. The City of Regina said on July 3 that it was seeing a Dutch Elm Disease outbreak, with 16 trees testing positive for the disease so far. Ray Morgan, the acting director of parks and open space services at the City of Regina, said the numbers so far are concerning. 'If it's this early in the season, our projection is it's going to be a long season for Dutch Elm Disease,' he said on July 3. 'We are about two weeks earlier than normal.' More to come…
CTV News
5 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Dutch elm disease found in tree in Alberta Avenue
Leaves that turn yellow, brown and curl up on an elm tree are a sign of the fungus that causes Dutch elm disease. (Photo: Government of Alberta) Several trees will be removed from Alberta Avenue after a confirmed case of Dutch elm disease. The infected tree was found during a planned assessment in the neighbourhood and was confirmed by a lab on Wednesday. The case is the first this season and sixth since the deadly fungal disease was discovered in the Killarney and Yellowhead Corridor East neighbourhoods last August. All trees within 20 metres of the infected tree will be removed, while all trees within a one-kilometre radius will be closely monitored, the city said in a Thursday press release. 'City arborists, urban foresters and the pest management team remain vigilant as we continue implementing the established Dutch elm disease management plan, including intensified surveillance of elm trees. This additional confirmed case does not change our approach as we continue assessments, removals and testing in coordination with the province and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,' said Mark Beare, director of infrastructure operations. 'While any positive test is disappointing, we remain confident that this collaborative approach is helping to limit the spread of the disease.' About 22 per cent of trees on city-owned land in Edmonton are elm trees, numbering about 90,000. The fungus is spread by bark beetles, so diligent pruning is an essential part of the city's strategy. To help stop the spread of Dutch elm disease, residents are asked not to bring firewood into the city from another jurisdiction; properly remove and dispose of dead, dying or diseased elm branches; and report cases of the disease to 311. More information about Dutch elm disease is available online.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
The city wants your help to protect its trees
The City of Edmonton is launching a new program to train residents on how to become tree experts to protect its urban forest. The Urban Forest Ambassador Program will teach residents how to detect threats to trees, like Dutch elm disease and emerald ash borer. Training begins next Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Lois Hole Library, and more sessions will be scheduled this summer. Space is limited and registration is required online. Edmontonians who become Urban Forest Ambassadors will contribute to the reporting of the long-term health of elm and ash trees and raise awareness in their neighbourhoods as key community contacts. How to spot Dutch elm disease The city is also reminding people not to bring firewood from other communities back to Edmonton because it could have insects that spread Dutch elm and other diseases. Tree owners are asked to prune diseased, dying and dead branches from elm trees from October to March. To dispose of it safely, burn it, bury it, chip it or take it to the Edmonton Waste Management Centre, the city said. People who see signs of Dutch elm disease – brown staining in the sapwood or leaves that wilt, droop or curl from late June to mid July – are asked to call 311. Dutch elm disease was spotted in Killarney last August. The infected trees and a number of nearby elms were removed to control the spread. The city hired six new arborists after that to help monitor the disease. There were no new cases over the winter. Elm trees make up nearly 22 per cent of Edmonton's forestry, the city said earlier this year. For more information on Dutch elm disease and the city's efforts, click here.
