CALGARY – It’s just a matter of time before Dutch elm disease arrives in Alberta.
The disease that defoliated stands of elm trees throughout eastern North America could be creeping into Alberta and parts of British Columbia on the backs of a little insect called the European elm bark beetle. Since the beetle doesn’t move very far on its own, it is suspected the insects are carried in firewood since they live and breed in dying or dead wood.
The bark beetle is host to the fungus which causes the fatal disease.
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Since many people use elms as shade trees or shelterbelts, entomologists want to find and eliminate the beetles before it’s too late, said Kelly Derlago and Simon Wilkins of the city of Calgary.
The disease hasn’t been detected in the two western-most provinces but in 1994 bark beetles were found in Calgary and a shelterbelt near Conrich, east of the city. They’re not native to this province, so it’s suspected they came with a load of firewood from Montana, said Derlago. The province, as well as the cities of Edmonton and Calgary, are working to detect the beetles before they cause trouble, he said.
In the beginning stages of the disease, leaves curl or wilt in one section of the tree. As the fungus spreads throughout the tree and blocks the conductive tissues of the tree, the leaves turn yellow.
Die in weeks
Trimming away the yellow areas won’t cure the disease. Once symptoms of the disease are noticed, it is probably too late to save the tree. It can die within three weeks depending on the earlier health of the tree.
The elm bark beetle breeds in dead and dying wood which means pruning is necessary to eliminate breeding sites in American, Siberian and Japanese elms.
Pruning should be done between Sept. 30 and April 1 before the sap starts running because it attracts the beetles. Wood removed during pruning should be burned or buried immediately. If the beetles or symptoms of the disease are spotted, people in Alberta can call the Dutch elm disease hotline at 403-362-3391.
