Alberta has remained free of Dutch Elm Disease and it’s important residents here continue their vigilant to avoid an outbreak, the City’s Integrated Pest Management Co-ordinator says.

“The danger of the disease entering the province is a reality because it exists in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Montana,” says Jim Donnelly. “With camping season in full swing, it is timely to remind residents and visitors of the possibility of people travelling through the area with firewood infested with Dutch Elm Disease (DED) fungus or beetles carrying the disease.”

Dutch Elm Disease Awareness Week began today and runs through June 30. 

The Parks Operations Department works in co-operation with the Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease (STOPDED) to engage the public’s assistance in saving the nation's beautiful elm trees from the disease.

DED results from fungus that clogs the elm tree's water conducting system, causing the tree to die. The fungus is primarily spread from one elm tree to another by two species of beetles, the smaller European and the native elm bark beetle. The beetles are attracted to weak and dying trees that serve as breeding sites for the beetles. Once the beetles have pupated and turned into adults, they leave the brood gallery and fly to healthy elms to feed, transporting the fungus on their bodies from one tree to the next. Monitoring for the beetles is done annually throughout the province.

Alberta has the largest DED-free American elm stand in the world.

"When an elm is infected with DED, its leaves will wilt or droop, curl and become brown," says Donnelly.

 These signs appear between mid-June and mid-July. Leaves on trees infected later in the season usually turn yellow and drop prematurely. Leaf symptoms are accompanied by brown staining under the bark. All suspicious elms must be tested in a lab.

What residents can do:

• Be aware of the yearly Alberta elm pruning ban between April 1 and Sept. 30. The beetles are most active at this time and can be attracted to the scent of fresh tree cuts, possibly infecting a healthy elm.
• Keep elm trees healthy and vigorous.
• Water elms well from April to mid-August to allow the tree to harden off for the winter. Watering should be stopped mid-August followed by a good soaking or two before freeze-up.
• Prune elms only between Oct. 1 to March 31 to remove dead branches and trees as they can provide beetle habitat.
• Dispose of all elm wood immediately by burning, burying or chipping.
• Report all symptom trees to the DED Hotline toll-free by dialling 310-0000 and ask for 403-782-8613. A confirmed DED tree must be removed immediately to prevent further spread.

What residents should not do:

• Do not transport or store elm firewood at any time. DED and the beetles are declared pests under the Alberta Agricultural Pests Act making it illegal.
• Do not transport elm firewood into Alberta. Firewood is confiscated at all the Alberta-Montana border crossings.
• Do not prune elms between April 1 and Sept. 30.

For more information, call the toll-free provincial DED hotline number by dialling 310-0000 and ask for 403-782-8613 or check out www.stopded.org