40 COMMUNITIES AND PROVINCE TAKE ACTION AGAINST DUTCH ELM DISEASE

Forty cities, towns and villages across the province, have joined Saskatchewan Environment's cost-share program to combat Dutch elm disease. The cost-share program is part of Environment's Dutch elm disease management plan for the province.

In the 40 communities now part of the program, including eight new communities since last summer (Swift Current, Rosthern, Gravelbourg, Maple Creek, Eston, Caronport and Melville), costs for prevention activities such as tree pruning and basal spraying, are shared equally between the department and the community. Public education, buying needed equipment, establishing wood disposal sites, staff training and urban tree diversification by planting a variety of tree species can also be funded through the program.

Saskatchewan Environment Dutch elm disease provincial program co-ordinator Steve Hyde says even though the disease is well established in the province and will likely continue to spread, it is important to manage the disease to keep losses at low levels.

"Elm trees are an important part of the landscape in towns and cities throughout Saskatchewan. For example, the cities of Saskatoon and Regina each have more than 100,000 elm trees, with an estimated value of $3,000 each," Hyde says. "With proper management, we can minimize losses due to this disease, reduce tree maintenance costs and help maintain a healthy elm population for future generations."

The Dutch elm disease program focuses on urban centres with large populations of American elm. Disease-free buffer zones are maintained around Regina, Moose Jaw, Estevan, Tisdale and Fort Qu'Appelle.

The province's disease surveillance program will operate again this summer, with 43 communities surveyed for infected trees and elm firewood, both of which can harbour the beetles that spread the disease. Early detection and prompt removal of infected trees are also important for effective management.

Public awareness continues to be a large part of the management program. If you have questions or suspect a tree has the disease, call 1-800-SASKELM or visit our web site at www.se.gov.sk.ca/forests/dutchelmdisease.

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For More Information, Contact:

Steve Hyde Environment Saskatoon Phone: (306) 933-6515