Landscape Maintenance
Check Your Trees for Disease
Black Knot Disease
A proliferation outbreak of Black Knot Disease on trees has been observed in Olds. This dreaded fungal disease affects Apricots, Plums and Cherries in the Prunus genus. This is most prevalent in Schubert Chokecherry and Mayday trees here in Alberta although other cherry trees and plums can certainly be affected.
Fire Blight Disease
Fire blight is a highly destructive disease of several members of the rose family, is caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora. This disease is one of the most destructive diseases of fruit trees in North America. It occurs sporadically and unpredictably and occasionally reaches epidemic levels.
Dutch Elm Disease
Dutch elm disease (DED) is a costly, deadly disease that affects all species of elm trees in Alberta. It is caused by a fungus that clogs the elm tree's water conducting system, causing the tree to die. The fungus is primarily spread from one elm tree to another by 3 beetle species. The beetles are attracted to weak and dying trees, which serve as breeding sites. Once the beetles have pupated and turned into adults, they fly to healthy elms to feed, transporting the fungus on their bodies from one tree to the next.
Don't Move Firewood - Buy Locally
Many people don't realize that moving firewood can cause the spread of plant diseases. Residents are reminded to not move firewood and to buy it locally.
Moving firewood from places where regulated pests have been found can be a violation of the Plant Protection Act, with penalties of up to $50,000 and/or prosecution. Be aware of movement restrictions that may be in place before you move firewood or any other wood products.
To protect our forest resources and communities’ greenspaces, moving firewood outside of a regulated area is prohibited. As the invasive alien species present in Canada have different distributions, it is important to be familiar with the pests present in your area.
See this brochure from the Canada Food Inspection Agency on why you should not move firewood.
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