City of Regina working to keep Dutch elm disease under control

The City of Regina says Dutch elm disease has been detected in six more elm trees in the Queen City.

Dutch elm disease is caused and spread by the elm bark beetle. The beetle essentially prevents the roots of a tree from getting water. As a result, the tree begins to slowly die off.

However, what makes the disease dangerous is that it is easily spreadable.

Ryan Johnston, the supervisor of pest control for the city, said Friday that the removal of elm trees infected with the disease is the best way to prevent any further spread.

He mentioned there are signs to see if a tree is being impacted by the disease.

“What we look for is flagging, dead branches. When I say flagging, we look for green leaves that turn yellow and wilt, turn brown and die back. If you’re noticing a symptom like that, please call the city,” he said.

If there is a suspected case of Dutch elm disease, the city takes a sample of the entire area to make sure no other trees are infected.

“We will inject the trees around the infected tree with a fungicide hoping it would deter (the disease) from spreading to other neighbouring trees,” Johnston said.

Johnston said right now, there is no need to worry about the disease spreading further and says all six positive cases are in different areas throughout the city.

“There are four in the north end. There’s no real pattern to it at this point, and we’re expecting that four or five more (trees) we’ve already tested will have positive results,” he explained.

Johnston said the city keeps an eye on trees regularly to ensure things like disease are contained.

“We have crews that survey the area,” he said. “We literally have crews that drive around the areas looking at the elm trees.”

Johnston mentioned citizens are encouraged to call the city if they see a tree of concern.

He added there’s a pruning ban on elm trees in place until Aug. 31.