Dutch Elm Disease continues to plague Melfort with over 100 cases in 2026

Last year’s survey identified 127 trees, with 73 on public land and 54 on private property.

Residents with infected trees on their property are given a letter from the Dutch Elm Disease inspector. The city would then send a follow-up letter to those property owners if the affected trees are not removed.

Lok said despite the slight reduction in the number of Dutch Elm cases in Melfort compared to last year, it’s too early to say whether those numbers are the start of a downward trend.

“I think there are a number of factors that influenced the number of trees, such as the late spring, and the cold winter may have had some impact,” Lok explained.

The enthusiasm is also tempered by the high number of infected trees in the buffer zone surrounding the city, and that presence is affecting trees within Melfort.

“So unfortunately, I don’t feel like I can give a ‘thumbs-up’ like we’re getting ahead of this yet,” Lok said. “It still seems like this disease is quite strong and still spreading.”

The provincial government is responsible for the buffer zone surrounding Melfort and they remove trees in that area to attempt to control the disease in the zone and prevent its spread into Melfort. The number of infected trees in the buffer zone was also very similar in 2026 to the cases in 2025.

Lok said the bulk of the budget for trees and parks is getting used for tree removal on city-owned land. He added that the city will soon need to decide on replanting and what that might look like from an urban forest management perspective, but right now they are simply in reaction mode to deal with the diseased trees. Unfortunately, the bulk of infected trees on city-owned land is on boulevards in established neighbourhoods with large canopy trees that provide a unique look and comforting presence.

The city recently met with provincial Dutch Elm Disease experts, and Lok said they have indicated that the Dutch Elm infection numbers across the province seem to be trending in the wrong direction. Both Saskatoon and Regina have seen the number of cases increase over the past few years as well.

“What should have been done way back in the day was planting a much more resilient forest for an urban canopy that had much more variety than what we currently have,” said Lok. “When we have a single species in the fashion that we do have, it makes it much more susceptible to disease.”

Contractors will begin removing trees on public land in the next few weeks, and Lok said some property owners with infected trees in their yards have already begun to look into hiring contractors for removal.

Dutch Elm Disease is spread by the elm bark beetle, and they are attracted to freshly cut trees. That is why the province institutes the elm pruning ban from April to the end of August.

–

cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Dutch Elm Disease continues to plague Melfort with over 100 cases in 2026

What's Trending