SaskatoonSaskatoon has so far confirmed 12 cases of Dutch elm disease in the city. In total, 37 trees have been removed in order to purge presumptive cases and adjacent trees.Highly contagious tree fungus can be devestating to elm treesAlexander Quon · CBC News · Posted: Aug 29, 2025 5:47 PM EDT | Last Updated: 7 hours agoForestry crews with the City of Regina work to remove an elm tree that tested positive for Dutch elm disease in that city earlier this year. The City of Saskatoon says it has recorded a record number of cases of Dutch elm disease so far in 2025. (Matt Howard/CBC)The City of Saskatoon is warning of a potential “ecological emergency” in response to a growing number of Dutch elm disease cases this year. The highly contagious tree fungus can be devastating to elm trees. Once introduced, the fungus — transmitted by elm bark beetles and spores from infected wood — spreads rapidly and can kill mature trees within a single growing season. Thai Hoang, director of parks for the City of Saskatoon, said the city has set a new record for the number of confirmed Dutch elm cases.”We’ve had 12 confirmed positive cases of Dutch elm disease in 2025,” Hoang told Saskatoon city council earlier this week. Along with the confirmed cases, there are seven trees that have “very evident” symptoms and will be removed as a precaution. Other trees surrounding those that are confirmed to be infected or have suspected Dutch elm disease will also be destroyed. So far, 37 trees have been removed this year, Hoang told city council. Last year, Saskatoon reported 11 cases of Dutch elm disease and four cases in 2023. The confirmed cases this year are widespread and are not concentrated in any particular neighbourhood, the City of Saskatoon said. City council has increased the budget to prevent the spread of Dutch elm but Hoan is reminding Saskatoon residents they have a role to play in battling the disease.Residents are asked to inspect their properties and ensure they are not accidentally storing elm wood. Elm trees infested with Dutch elm disease will typically have leaves that start to wilt and turn yellow before curling up and turning brown, said Hoan. If anyone suspects an unhealthy elm tree or is unsure of what type of firewood they have, residents can take a photo and complete an online form or call urban forestry. The city is also asking residents to follow the provincial pruning ban and dispose of elm wood at the Saskatoon landfill.ABOUT THE AUTHORAlexander Quon has been a reporter with CBC Saskatchewan since 2021 and is happy to be back working in his hometown of Regina after half a decade in Atlantic Canada. He has previously worked with the CBC News investigative unit in Nova Scotia and Global News in Halifax. Alexander specializes in municipal political coverage and data-reporting. He can be reached at: alexander.quon@cbc.ca.FacebookTwitter
Saskatoon warns of ‘ecological emergency’ after record number of cases of Dutch elm disease
