Dutch Elm Disease

If you suspect that you have a tree or fire wood with Dutch Elm disease, call the Provincial Tree Line at 204-945-7866.

Dutch Elm Disease Management Program

Tree with Dutch Elm Disease
Tree with Dutch Elm Disease

The RM of St. Clements participates in the provincial Dutch Elm Disease Management Program. In this partnership, provincial inspectors locate and tag diseased trees/wood and the RM hires a contractor to remove them. Learn more about the Dutch Elm Disease Management Program on the province’s website: http://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/forestry/ded-urban/ded_mgmt.html

What is Dutch Elm Disease?

It is an aggressive fungal disease that blocks water movement in Elm trees and eventually leads to death of the entire tree. In Manitoba, the spores of Dutch Elm disease are usually spread by native Elm bark beetles. The native American Elm is most susceptible to Dutch Elm disease.

I have heard I should basal spray my tree. What is basal spraying and how do I do it?

Basal spraying refers to spraying the bottom half metre of the trunk of all your elm trees with an insecticide containing “chlorpyrifos”. This prevents the overwintering of elm bark beetles, which may be carrying Dutch elm disease fungal spores. A 0.5% chlorpyrifos solution should be thoroughly sprayed into the cracks and crevices and around the root flares. Apply any time during August or early September and reapply every two years.

What else can be done to protect our elm trees?

Prompt detection and removal of diseased elms is an important step of any Dutch elm disease management program. Promptly removing and disposing of elms dying from Dutch elm disease is the key to effectively managing Dutch elm disease on a community-wide basis. Removed elms need to either have their bark removed, be chipped, burned or buried.

Learn more about Dutch Elm disease:

http://www.dutchelmdisease.ca/

http://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/forestry/ded-urban/faq.html