Another case of Dutch elm disease found in Saskatoon

The City of Saskatoon’s parks department has confirmed another positive case of Dutch elm disease.

The new case was found in an elm tree in the Forest Grove neighbourhood, the city said. The response plan is already being enacted, including the immediate removal of several trees for disposal at the landfill and increased surveillance in the area.

“This will involve three trees immediately along Central Avenue and 28 more pending line location, with further removal possible pending test results,” the city said in a statement.

Parks staff will be checking every property in the area for elm firewood, the city said, and removing it when it’s found.

Dutch elm disease is caused by a fungus spread by the elm bark beetle, the city explained. The disease can be prevented by avoiding pruning elms between April 1 and Aug. 31, not bringing elm wood into the city, and sanitizing tools after working on elms.

Anyone who suspects an elm tree may be unhealthy or is unsure of the type of tree their firewood originated from was asked to contact the city for more information.

In early July, the city removed several trees in the Pleasant Hill and Sutherland neighbourhoods following other confirmed cases of the disease.