Dutch Elm Disease detected in Swift Current

The City of Swift Current confirmed on July 8 that a case of Dutch elm disease was located in a tree on City property.

The impacted tree was removed and properly disposed.

The City issued a reminder that storing, transporting and using Elm firewood is illegal and subject to fines.

In a Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment map as of September 2019 placed Dutch elm disease primarily in Southeast and South Central Saskatchewan, plus a pocket in the North East.

Dutch elm disease is spread by elm bark beetles that spread a fungus when the breed under the bark of dead or dying elm woods.

Infected trees usually start to show signs of the disease in late June to mid July, when leaves and branches near the top of the tree may wilt, curl, and turn yellow and brown. Infected twig samples also have red streaks through the sapwood.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment provides the following tips on how to prevent Dutch elm disease:

- Keep your elm trees healthy;

- Abide by the provincial ban on pruning elm trees from April 1 to August 31;

- If you see signs of Dutch elm disease, report them to your municipal authority;

- Don’t buy, sell, store, transport or use elm firewood;

- Remove and dispose of Dutch elm disease-infected trees promptly and properly; and

- Support Dutch elm disease management in your community.

The province also highlights that it is illegal to transport, store or buy elm firewood, as elm firewood is one of the largest spreaders of the disease.