The City of Weyburn parks department is preparing for its yearly Dutch Elm Disease maintenance and control program.
 Dutch Elm Disease (DED) is an incurable fungal disease spread by the elm bark beetle that kills any elm tree it infects.
The 2020 program includes pest management through pesticide spraying of elms within certain areas of the city:
• In the Â鶹´«Ã½AV area, on First Ave. S to 10th Ave. S, and Government Road  to Confederation Drive.
• In the Northwest , First Ave. NW to 3rd Ave. NW, and Scott Crescent  to Elgin Street, and Saskatchewan Drive.
• In the North, First Ave. N to Fifth Ave. N, and Windsor Street  to King Street.
The City of Weyburn will notify impacted residents that city-owned elms located near their property will be treated by basal spraying. Residents also have the opportunity to authorize city parks staff property access to treat privately owned elms.
 Residents unsure if they have elm trees on their property (and live within the neighbourhoods noted above) can apply for the free program to authorize parks staff to inspect and treat your trees, if identified as elms.
Homeowners can apply for the basal spraying program online at the city website (www.weyburn.ca/dutch-elm-disease-control-program/application-form/) or contact the parks department for more information by email at [email protected] or phone (306) 848-3290.
The deadline to apply is Sept. 18 for the 2020 control program. Basal spraying will take place from Sept. 21- 25, weather permitting.
The City of Weyburn encourages residents to apply for the program and authorize the spraying of privately owned elm trees; there is no cure for DED and trees must be treated to prevent further spread of the elm bark beetle.
In 2019, elm trees in the northwest area of the city tested positive for DED. Parks staff have removed and disposed of the infected trees, and continue maintenance to ensure the disease does not spread.
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.
