Released September 17, 2020
WEYBURN – The City of Weyburn Parks Department will be basal spraying elm trees for control of Dutch Elm Disease in the city from Sept. 21-25, weather permitting.
Dutch Elm Disease (DED) is an incurable fungal disease spread by the elm bark beetle that kills any elm tree it infects. DED has been a reoccurring problem with outbreaks in Southeast Saskatchewan for the last few years.
Last season, the City of Weyburn removed a total of 30 Elm trees to prevent the spread of DED. Thirteen of these trees tested positive for DED, while the remaining 17 trees displaying DED symptoms were removed to help preserve other high value elm trees. Four locations in the city were also found to have stored elm firewood. All identified DED elm trees and firewood have been removed.
Spraying operations will be conducted between 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. on the following streets in the area:
- South
- 1st Ave. S to 10th Ave. S
- Government Rd. to Confederation Dr.
- Northwest
- 1st Ave. NW to 3rd Ave. NW
- Scott Cres. to Elgin St.
- Saskatchewan Dr.
- North
- 1st Ave. N to 5th Ave. N
- Windsor St. to King St.
Operations will cease between 8-9 a.m., and over the lunch hour from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., when students will be walking to and from school.
Basal spraying can be an effective tool in preventing the spread of DED and involves the spraying of pesticide to tree trunks at a low pressure which dries quickly.
Trees sprayed will be marked with orange flagging tape. Children and pets should be kept away from flagged trees for a period of 24 hours.
Parks employees have been properly trained in basal spraying; we ask that the public do not approach city staff while spraying is taking place.
Spraying schedules will be announced via the City of Weyburn Citizen Alerts System, City of Weyburn website (www.weyburn.ca) and the City’s social media platforms.
For additional information contact the Parks Department at (306) 848-3290 or email ded@weyburn.ca. DED information can also be found here.
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