DUTCH ELM DISEASE SURVEY COMPLETED

The province's annual Dutch elm disease (DED) survey has identified the disease in four previously unaffected communities, as well as growing infections in many other areas.

Communities confirming their first DED infections include Regina Beach, Grenfell, Balcarres and Indian Head. Elm trees with DED were found again this year in Lumsden, Estevan, Katepwa, Regina, Fort Qu'Appelle, Carnduff, Tisdale, Moose Jaw and Moosomin. The disease continues to spread along the Qu'Appelle Valley, with resort communities in the valley and along Last Mountain Lake seeing increases in the number of infected trees.

Saskatoon, Yorkton, Prince Albert, North Battleford and Swift Current remained disease-free this year. As well, Kamsack, Carlyle, Weyburn, Caronport, Melville, Davidson and White City were disease-free this year, despite having infected trees in previous years.

Buffer zones, established outside urban centres with significant elm populations to limit the movement of the disease into the community, were also surveyed. Infected elms were identified in the Moose Jaw, Tisdale, Regina, Estevan and Fort Qu'Appelle buffers. In all, more than 640 trees will be removed from buffer areas this year.

"Co-operation is the only effective way to deal with DED and we will continue to work with communities to develop their management strategies," Environment Minister David Forbes said. "This year, there are 40 communities participating in agreements with us to share the costs of their management programs."

Communities with more than 400 elm trees are targeted in the provincial survey, with many larger communities conducting their own surveys. This summer, more than 350 samples were submitted for testing.

There are steps everyone can take to help prevent DED. Healthy elms are better able to resist infection so homeowners should use regular pruning to maintain their trees. Because the disease can be spread by infected elm firewood, it is illegal to store or transport elm firewood.

For more information about DED prevention, call Saskatchewan Environment's toll-free DED information line at 1-800-SASK ELM (1-800-727-5356).

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For More Information, Contact:

Steve Hyde Environement Saskatoon Phone: (306)933-6515 Cell: (306) 230-5541