Edmonton elms removed to control Dutch elm disease [Video]

The City of Edmonton says staying proactive has helped keep its 90,000 elm trees relatively untouched by the devastating Dutch elm disease (DED).

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The disease, caused by a fungus, was first found in Edmonton this August.

“It was a matter of when, not if, it would arrive in the City of Edmonton, so we’ve been prepared for it,” said Mark Beare, with the City of Edmonton.

The fungus clogs the tree’s water system, and can kill a mature tree in as little as three weeks and wipe out entire populations over years. 

This summer, four elm trees in central Edmonton (one private and three city-owned) tested positive for the disease.

The infected trees were removed, as well as 21 other elms within a one-kilometre radius.

“Just to make sure,” Beare added. “Because of how this disease does spread, it’s spread …