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Dutch Elm Disease Prevention: What You Can Do | |
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From the June 22, 2009 Issue of Agri-News | |
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| | Every Albertan can lend a helping hand in saving the province’s elm trees. To start with, take preventative measures by keeping your elm trees healthy, vigorous and properly pruned.
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Elms should be well watered from April to mid-August. Watering should be stopped mid-August and then followed by a good soaking or two before freeze-up. This allows the trees to harden off for the winter.
Dead branches and trees that provide beetle habitat should be removed. Since elm bark beetles are attracted to fresh tree wounds, pruning should only be done between October 1 to March 31. At this time, these beetles that spreads Dutch elm disease are not in their active stage.
It is important to dispose of all elm wood by taking it to the local landfill or by burning, burying or chipping it. Chips should be no greater than 2.5cm (1 inch). Elm wood provides ideal breeding sites for the tiny elm bark beetle.
A great help in any prevention program is knowing what to look for. Be sure to learn how to identify the signs of Dutch elm disease and beetle activity. If you notice any signs, report them to the nearest DED hotline or to your community.
Do
- be aware of DED and its symptoms
- immediately report infected trees
- burn, bury or chip elm wood must be immediately – chips should be no greater than 2.5cm (1 inch)
- keep elm trees healthy by keeping trees well watered
- prune dead wood from your elm trees between October 1st and March 31st.
Do Not
- bring elm firewood or logs into Alberta as it could be carrying the elm bark beetles and/or fungus
- transport or store elm wood within Alberta (stored firewood provides a perfect breeding area for the elm bark beetles)
- prune elms between April 1st and September 30th, when elm bark beetles are active and attracted to fresh wounds
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Lee Anne Bateman.
This document is maintained by Rita Splawinski.
This information published to the web on June 17, 2009.
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