DUTCH ELM DISEASE FOUND IN NEW LOCATIONS

Released on August 29, 1995

Environment and Resource Management Minister Berny Wiens today said
that Dutch Elm Disease (DED) has been confirmed in new locations in
Saskatchewan.

Provincial survey crews found new DED infestations in the communities
of Yellow Grass, Storthoaks and Moosomin. Existing infections have
spread further along Red Fox, Pipestone, Brokenshell and Wascana
creeks, along the Qu'Appelle, Souris and Carrot river valleys, and the
Saskatchewan River near Cumberland House. Infections persist in or
near the communities of Glen Ewen, Oxbow, Carnduff, Fort San, Bienfait
and Alameda.

During July and August, survey crews visited communities in the
southern and eastern portions of the province, checking elm trees for
symptoms of DED. River valleys were surveyed by air. The attached map
indicates areas of confirmed DED in the province.

To provide effective co-ordination of prevention and control efforts, a
DED Control Advisory Group has been set up. With representation from
the major agencies involved in the province's fight against DED, the
advisory group is developing and recommending integrated provincial
strategies to control DED.



"The advisory group helps with program co-ordination," said Wiens. "It
is a useful forum for all those involved in managing DED to share
information and experiences."

Early detection and prompt removal of diseased trees is the key to
slowing the spread of the disease. The public can help by watching for
symptoms of DED, from late June to mid-August, which include wilting or
yellowing leaves on elm trees, and brown streaks in the sapwood under
the bark of branches showing staining. Elms are better able to resist
DED when they are kept healthy and properly pruned.

Transportation of elm firewood is one of the chief ways that DED is
being spread in Saskatchewan. Elm wood may harbor elm bark beetles,
the insect that transmits the DED fungus to healthy elm trees. For
this reason, it is illegal to buy, store or transport elm firewood in
Saskatchewan.

A toll-free DED information line is now available. For more
information about the disease or to report suspected cases, call
1-800-SASK ELM (727-5356), Saskatoon residents call 933-6547.

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For more information, contact:

Russell Friesen
U of S, Horticulture Department
Phone: 1-800-727-5356 (in Saskatoon, 933-6547)

Garry Carter
Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management
Forestry Branch
Prince Albert
Phone: (306) 953-2221