| | The Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease (STOPDED) is asking for the assistance of the general public to save Alberta's beautiful elm trees from the deadly Dutch Elm Disease (DED). The province has been fortunate to remain DED free but Albertans must constantly be aware of the threat of the disease pressing the Saskatchewan and Montana borders. The danger of an uncontrolled outbreak of the disease still exists.
"DED is caused by a fungus that clogs the elm tree's water conducting system, causing the tree to die," says Janet Feddes-Calpas, provincial DED coordinator. "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, which 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."
Leaves on a DED-infected elm will wilt or droop, curl and become brown. This appears in mid-June to 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.
"Elms are a treasure that society can't afford to lose," says Feddes-Calpas. "During DED Awareness Week, please take a moment and find out how you can help."
Information is available by calling the provincial DED hotline toll free by dialing 310-0000 and asking for (403) 782-8613. Information is also available on the website at www.stopded.org.
What individuals can do:
- 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.
- Remove dead branches and trees as they provide beetle habitat. Pruning must only be done between October 1 and March 31.
- Dispose of all elm wood by burning, burying or chipping.
- Report all symptom trees to the DED Hotline toll free by dialing 310-0000 and asking for (403) 782-8613.
- A confirmed DED tree must be removed immediately to prevent further spread.
What individuals should not do:
- Do not transport or store elm firewood at any time! DED and the beetles are declared pests under Alberta's Agricultural Pests Act making transport of elm firewood illegal.
- Do not transport elm firewood into or within Alberta! Firewood will be confiscated at all the Alberta-Montana border crossings.
- Do not prune elms between April 1 and September 30. This is the timeframe when the beetles are active and can be attracted to the scent of fresh tree cuts, possibly infecting a healthy tree.
Contact: Janet Feddes-Calpas (403) 782-8613 |
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