Municipal Mini: Let's Help Protect Olds' Elm Trees

With Dutch elm disease (DED) now confirmed in Edmonton, it's a good time for all of us in Olds to be aware of how we can help protect our community's beautiful elm trees.

DED is a fatal disease spread by tiny elm bark beetles and through the movement of infected elm wood. While Olds has not been affected, and Alberta has been the only province DED free this far, prevention is our best defence.

Our mature elm trees provide shade, cool our streets, support wildlife, and are an important part of what makes Olds so beautiful. If Dutch elm disease were to become established here, we could lose many of these trees, changing our tree-lined streets for generations and costing our community thousands of dollars in removal and replacement.

Here's how you can help:

• Don't transport elm firewood from other communities.
• Never prune elm trees between April 1 and September 30. (Provincial Regulation) 
• If you don't know, don't cut. If you're unsure whether a tree is an elm or if pruning is allowed, call the Town of Olds Parks Dept, or a certified arborist to confirm the tree species before you proceed.
• Please do not mount birdhouse, hooks, nails, or other objects into the trees as this creates opening and an invite to these unwanted pests. 

Watch for signs of disease, such as wilting or yellowing leaves on a single branch, and report any concerns to the Town Parks Department. 

Protecting our elm trees is something we can all do together. A little awareness today can help preserve the shade and beauty of our old growth of Olds for future generations.