(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Year in review: Melfort Dutch Elm situation

Year in Review: Melfort Dutch Elm situation worsens

Dec 26, 2025 | 12:00 PM

The fight against Dutch Elm Disease continues in Melfort.

The City hired a Dutch Elm Disease expert again in 2025 to investigate trees across Melfort, and the numbers continue to grow.

This year’s survey identified 127 infected trees, 73 of which were on public lands and 54 on private property. That is more than the 102 infected trees found in 2024, and the 89 in 2023.

Director of Community Services Rob Lok said the trees found on boulevards across Melfort are mainly in areas with large canopy trees, and those trees were removed in the fall. There are still some stumps that need to be removed in 2026.

Lok said the dry spring may have stressed trees this year, leading to the increase in infected trees. He added that it’s unfortunate that the disease is affecting the large trees that help provide shade for established neighbourhoods throughout Melfort.

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Josh Pol, a Forest Health Specialist with the Ministry of Environment, said the disease was first found in Melfort in 2017 and has been a problem in subsequent years.

“What makes Melfort particularly susceptible is the high number of elms within the city,” Pol said. He added there could be several factors at play as to why the numbers keep increasing.

Pol said the Ministry of Environment is helping the City through technical advice, training, legal authority, and regulatory controls to help with the management activities.

The best thing for communities to do in this situation, according to Pol, is to remove infected trees as soon as possible and to have a survey program that can identify those trees. Dutch Elm Disease is spread by the elm bark beetle, which is attracted to freshly cut elm limbs.

The province bans elm pruning in Saskatchewan between April 1 and Aug. 31 for this reason. It is also illegal to transport, use, or store any elm wood.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com