| | Dutch elm disease (DED) is a deadly disease that can affect any elm tree. Since its introduction from Europe in 1930, it has destroyed millions of American elm trees across North America. DED is prevalent in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Montana. At present, Alberta has the largest DED-free American elm stands in the world. A total of 219,334 elms, worth $634 million dollars, grow in Alberta's urban areas. Alberta has been fortunate to remain DED free for many years however, in 1998 one elm tree in Wainwright was confirmed to have disease. The tree was immediately removed and burned. It is believed that firewood brought into the province was the source of infection. Alberta is still DED-free.
The smaller European elm bark beetle, (SEEBB) which can carry the DED fungus, have been found in previous years in Beiseker, Brooks, Calgary, Coutts, Edmonton, Forestburg, High River, Killam, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, Milk River, Raymond, Red Deer, St. Albert, Stathcona County, Taber,Vauxhall, Warner and Wetaskiwin. The Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease (STOPDED) along with Alberta Agriculture and Food, Sustainable Resource, Municipal Affairs and Community Development are determined to resist the spread of this devastating disease into our province.
Elm pruning ban
| To reduce the risk of Dutch elm disease (DED), pruning of elm trees is prohibited throughout Alberta from April 1 to September 30 each year. Fresh cuts from pruning attract the beetles that can spread the disease and increase the chance of an infection. This ban period is intended to coincide with the period during which elm bark beetles are most active. Pruning of dead and dying elm branches is encouraged from October 1 to March 31. This helps to reduce beetle breeding habitat. Prompt and proper disposal of the pruned elm wood is also essential to keep the vectors and disease from spreading. |
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