Regina residents are being reminded to keep a look out for Dutch elm disease (DED) at this time of the year.
The city says if you see leaves on elm trees curling and wilting, but not falling off, you should report it to city crews so it can be tested.
Regina’s elm trees are reportedly worth about 800 million dollars, so they say it’s up to everyone to help stop the spread of the disease.
“On average we lose five to six trees per year. I think our worst year was about 12 trees and that was about 15 to 16 years ago,” said Russell Eirich, who is the senior program manager for forestry, pest control and horticulture for the city.
“Last year we were right on our average for five, so that’s kind of where it’s at.”
DED restricts the water from making its way up the trunk causing the tree’s branches to die.
He says one thing people can do to help stop the spread of the disease is to leave all elm wood, not from the city, where they found it.
“So far we have not seen anything so we have had a nice start so far, but it’s only the beginning of the season” explained Eirich. “I do expect that we will see Dutch elm disease, just like we have.”
Eirich added that it is illegal to transport elm wood in Saskatchewan.
