2026 Dutch Elm Disease Survey Completed

For Immediate Release

August 7, 2026

A comprehensive Dutch elm disease (DED) survey was recently completed on Yorkton’s urban forest. From July 8 to 10, 2026, Living Tree Environmental Ltd. conducted a full visual inspection of American elm trees within city boundaries to identify trees showing symptoms of DED and to detect any elm wood storage/pruning violations.

The transportation and storage of elm wood is illegal, and elm pruning is prohibited from April 1 to August 31 in accordance with The Saskatchewan Dutch Elm Disease Regulations, 2005.

While no DED regulation violations were identified – including the storage of elm firewood, elm tree pruning during the annual pruning ban, or elms stumps requiring removal – nine trees were identified as hazardous or symptomatic with samples taken for analysis.

DED continues to threaten the urban forest, with positive cases identified annually for the past four years.

As part of the City’s urban forestry management program, the City’s DED Response Plan will be activated. The response includes:

• Removing hazardous or symptomatic elm trees, pending sample analysis
• Disposing of any removed elm trees at the City landfill
• Sampling of adjacent trees for testing
• Conducting surveillance and testing of private and public trees in the surrounding area, with an intensive search for elm material and other sources of infection
• Increasing public education and awareness of DED

“Dutch elm disease continues to spread across the province, and Yorkton is not the only community battling against infection.” said Matt Charney, Parks Manager with the City of Yorkton. “As a proactive measure, we are reminding residents of the current elm pruning ban, and asking residents to help the City identify any elm wood cutting that may be stored in yards and back alleys, and keeping an eye out for dead or dying tree branches. Those with questions or concerns about elm trees and Dutch elm disease can also contact the City for assistance.”

What is DED?
DED is a serious disease caused by a fungus that clogs an elm tree’s water and nutrient conducting system, eventually causing the tree to die. DED was introduced to North America in the 1930s and has since killed millions of elm trees across Canada and the United States. In Yorkton, elms make up 25% of the public urban forest.

How is DED spread?
The disease is spread by several species of elm bark beetles. These beetles can fly more than two kilometres in search of elm trees. The DED fungus has tiny spores that attach to the body of the beetle. Elm bark beetles can then carry the spores and infect other elm trees. The fungus can also be spread through infected pruning tools.

You can help prevent DED by:

• Not pruning elm trees during the provincial pruning ban from April 1 to August 31
• Not bringing elm wood into the city or storing or burning elm wood
• Sanitizing tools after working on elm trees
• Not building treehouses in elm trees, as nail and screw holes can attract elm bark beetles
• Reporting dead or dying elm trees or branches to the City or to a professional arborist

How to identify and report unhealthy elm trees and firewood:
Elm trees with DED may begin showing symptoms as early as June. Typically, the leaves begin to wilt and turn yellow, then curl and turn brown.

Should residents suspect an unhealthy elm tree or are unsure of what type of firewood they have, the City encourages them to contact the Recreation & Community Services department at 306-786-1750, email parksandrec@yorkton.ca, or submit a request online at yorkton.ca/dutchelmdisease for assistance.

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For Further information contact: 

Erin Gulyas
Communications Manager
City of Yorkton
Phone:    306-828-8417
Email:    egulyas@yorkton.ca