The City of Saskatoon is expecting Dutch elm disease cases to surge this year. Earlier this week, the city confirmed 22 cases of the fungus in elm trees in multiple parts of the city. Six of the confirmed cases are on the 200 block of Carleton Drive in the city’s College Park neighbourhood. The trees represent one of the largest groupings of Dutch elm disease-related elm removals in Saskatoon to date. “We have about 26,000 elm trees in our tree inventory,” parks superintendent Nolan Ramler said. “So, it is very concerning, and none of those trees are immune from the impacts of disease.” All of the infected trees, including three on the 800 block of Avenue C North in the Caswell Hill neighbourhood, will be removed, in an attempt to help slow the spread of the disease in the city. This year, the city switched its approach from prevention of cases to active management of Dutch elm because the fungus is now widespread and established across Saskatoon. In 2015, the city confirmed its first case of Dutch elm disease. Since then, numbers rose from four in 2023 to 11 in 2024 and a record 41 last year. Ramler said that, in addition to the 22 cases confirmed this week, many more samples sent to the provincial lab in Regina will be coming back in the next three weeks, which could establish a new record high. “Early identification of symptomatic trees, rapid removal, and then replanting,” Ramler said of the city’s Dutch elm disease policy. Robin Adair is the owner of Arbour Crest Tree Services. He said this is Saskatoon’s new reality. “Unfortunately, that’s where we are in Saskatoon now,” he said. “We’ve been watching Dutch elm disease come across Canada for the last 50 years, and now it’s here.” Dutch elm disease is caused by a fungus that affects a tree’s ability to absorb water. The disease spreads from bark beetles, who fly short distances to nearby trees. The fungus can also spread when trees graft their roots together. With Dutch elm disease taking hold in Saskatoon, Adair said the city doesn’t have the time to wait for lab results from Regina and destroy trees based on visual inspections. “If they see a tree that looks positive, they can take a sample of the tree. If it has black staining within the tree, they pretty much know that it’s Dutch elm disease. So, they’re taking out that tree and they’re taking out the adjacent trees as well.” The city said early detection can make all the difference. Residents are urged to call the city if they see signs of Dutch elm disease, including yellowing, wilting or browning leaves during the growing season. “It’s hitting people’s heartstrings. This is really something that’s now on our doorstep,” Adair said. The city said it will continue surveilling and testing trees in surrounding areas, and will inspect nearby properties for stored elm wood, which can contribute to the spread of the disease. It’s illegal to transport, store, sell or use elm wood in the city. All elm wood can be disposed of for free at the City Landfill. The provincial elm pruning ban is in effect annually from Apr. 1 to Aug. 31. --With files from Blair Farthing
