local dirt T
he Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease
(STOPDED) like to remind Albertans about
Dutch Elm Disease (DED) and how it can be prevented. American elms are planted exten-
sively in Alberta and have throughout the years become the tree of choice for the Prairies with good reason. These giants with their height and broad vase shaped canopies have tremendous esthetic value. They are tough, can endure extreme heat, cold and drought, and yet retain incredible beauty. However, all elm species that grow
in Alberta have an Achilles heel. They are prone to DED, a deadly fungus. This fungus clogs the elm tree's water conducting system, causing the tree to die in a short period of time. The fungus is primarily spread from one elm tree to another by elm bark beetles. 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
Alberta Dutch elm disease reminder would
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, a service STOPDED funds. Monitoring for the beetles is done
annually throughout the province by STOPDED. The smaller elm bark beetles have been found throughout the province in low numbers and now the banded elm bark beetle has been found in larger numbers throughout the City of Medicine Hat and surrounding area. For this reason we must be even more vigilant.
What can you do? • Be aware of the Alberta elm prun-
ing ban between April 1 and Sept. 30. The beetles are most active at this time and can be attracted to the scent of fresh tree cuts, possibly infecting a healthy elm. • Keep your 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. • Only between Oct. 1 to March 31
remove dead branches and trees as they can provide beetle habitat. • Dispose of all elm wood immedi-
ately by burning, burying or chipping. • Report all suspect trees to the
DED Hotline at 1-877-837-ELMS. A confirmed DED tree must be removed immediately to prevent further spread. What you shouldn’t do!
• Do not transport or store elm fire-
wood at any time! DED and the beetles are declared pests under the Alberta Agricultural Pests Act making it illegal to do so. • Do not transport elm firewood into
Alberta! Firewood is confiscated at all the Alberta-Montana border crossings. To report a DED suspect elm tree or for
more information, call the STOPDED hotline at 1-877-837-ELMS or check out the web site at
stopded.org.
localgardener.net
Summer 2015 • 5
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