Many of the canopy trees on Melfort's boulevards are elm trees, and could be at risk of Dutch Elm Disease. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Dutch Elm

Dutch Elm Disease spread becoming a concern in Melfort

Jun 6, 2024 | 4:00 PM

The City of Melfort is looking to stop the spread of Dutch Elm Disease.

Council will vote Monday on whether to approve the appointment of Jeffery Gooliaff of Living Tree Environmental Limited as a Dutch Elm Disease Inspector for the city.

Director of Community Services Rob Lok told northeastNOW the disease has become more prevalent in Melfort over the past few years. There are upwards of 5000 mature elm trees on the city’s boulevards and elsewhere.

“Incrementally, say over the last three years, the number of trees that are being diagnosed with the disease keeps increasing,” Lok explained. “Last year I think we were up somewhere towards 80 or 100 trees were diagnosed.”

Lok said the higher case numbers indicate the city is losing ground in the battle against Dutch Elm Disease, which is caused by a deadly fungus spread by elm bark beetles to otherwise healthy trees. The fungus kills the tree by stopping the flow of water.

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“By hiring an inspector, we’re hopeful that they’ll help provide some advice, as well as some on-the-ground enforcement to help get on top of managing this,” said Lok. He added some of the stumps you see on boulevards around the city are remnants of trees that have been lost due to the disease.

“Left unchecked, it will eventually kill all of our trees in town,” Lok cautioned. “That (would) significantly alter the landscape of our community.”

One of the signatures of the city, according to Lok, is the mature boulevard trees and shady streets.

“If we were to lose that asset it would really change things here in Melfort.”

Lok said nomination of a Dutch Elm Disease inspector is rooted in the regulations of the province’s Forest Resources Management Act.

(Submitted/City of Melfort)

Dutch Elm Disease can generally be identified in the peak of the summer, and there are early signs you can look out for.

“A couple of branches will demonstrate wilting leaves on an otherwise very healthy tree. A couple of the branches up high will suddenly look like they’re wilting,” said Lok. The wilting leaves then turn a rusty orange/red colour, and that spreads to a larger portion of the tree.

Any infected tree will need to be removed, and Lok said residents need to know the importance of helping to prevent the spread of the disease.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK