WEYBURN – The City of Weyburn Leisure Services and Parks department is gearing up for its annual Dutch Elm Disease (DED) control program, slated to commence on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
DED, a relentless fungal disease transmitted by elm bark beetles, poses a significant threat to elm trees in the province. To combat its spread within Weyburn, the City will focus its efforts exclusively on city-owned elm trees.
In 2023, the program will involve targeted spraying of elms trees on city boulevards, in parks and across green spaces.
Areas to be sprayed will follow the garbage collection areas 1 through 5, weather permitting:
• Wednesday, Oct. 4 – Areas 1 and 5
• Thursday, Oct. 5 – Areas 2, 3 and 4
The operational hours will be 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., with breaks between 8-9 a.m. and 12-1 p.m. to ensure public safety, particularly in areas where students and children may be present.
Please note: • Parks employees have been properly trained in basal spraying; the public should not approach city staff while spraying.
• Signage will be placed near active spraying areas.
• Children and pets should avoid treated trees within the identified areas for up to 24 hours after spraying.
Spraying details and any adjustments due to weather conditions will be communicated through Weyburn Alerts, the City of Weyburn website and City’s social media channels.
This will be the last year for basal spraying operations, as the insecticide currently used will no longer be available. Regrettably, no other alternatives to combat DED are currently known to the city staff.
It is paramount that every effort is made to protect the City’s cherished elm trees in the community. Any elm trees found infected with DED during surveying will be added to the City’s removal list and promptly disposed of.
The Parks department will continue maintaining the health of uninfected trees to help prevent further disease spread.
This time of year, one of the most important ways to help prevent the spread of DED is to avoid the illegal practice of transporting, storing and using elm firewood.
As of Sept. 1, the annual provincial ban on pruning elm trees has been lifted for the fall season. Keeping elms healthy by pruning dead or dying branches helps prevent the spread of DED. Elm wood should be promptly disposed of at the landfill.
