A disease that is deadly to Dutch elm trees has been reported in Edmonton.
Dutch elm disease has been detected in several trees in the Killarney and Yellowhead Corridor East neighbourhoods, marking the first appearance of the disease in Edmonton. The disease is caused by a fungus and can affect any elm tree.
Dutch elm disease is a deadly disease caused by a fungus (Ophiostoma ulmi) that can affect any elm tree. Since its introduction from Europe about 1930, it has destroyed millions of American elm trees across North America. The disease is spread through tree roots and beetles which can transport the fungus to other nearby trees.
As of August 30, a total of four trees have tested positive for the disease.
The City developed an action plan in 2020 for responding and containing the spread of the disease.
Previously, Alberta had the largest DED-free stand of American elm in the world. Alberta and British Columbia were the last 2 locations in North America found to be free of DED. A province-wide 2017 American elm inventory identified at least 600,000 elms growing in Alberta municipalities, rural properties, shelterbelts and provincial parks.
The city is taking active response via surveys and samplings in affected neighborhoods with work completion estimated by September 30th. The City is also working with the CFIA and the Government of Alberta to determine the approach for all trees in these neighborhoods. The City is conducting targeted elm tree removal to reduce the habitat of the beetles that spread the fungus.
Elm trees make up 22 per cent of the City’s maintained tree inventory, an estimate around 90,000 trees. In some mature neighbourhoods, elms comprise nearly 100 per cent of boulevard trees.
Find out what you can do to help prevent the spread of Dutch elm disease here.
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