Dutch elm disease confirmed in two more Edmonton neighbourhoods; total reaches nine

The City of Edmonton confirmed two new cases of Dutch elm disease — one in Northmount and one in Rossdale — bringing the total to nine since the fungal infection was first detected in Edmonton trees in 2024.

Both infected trees were on city property and in decline. The city proactively removed them as part of ongoing containment efforts. "These cases were identified by our integrated team of arborists, urban foresters and pest management biologists as they continue intensified surveillance and testing of elm trees across the city," said Nicole Fraser, acting director of Parks and Urban Forestry.

Dutch elm disease is a contagious fungal infection spread by elm bark beetles. It poses a significant risk to infected trees and all surrounding elms. The city's response involves swift removal of both infected and adjacent elms, plus consistent, precise pruning to remove deadwood — which serves as habitat for the beetles that carry the fungus. The city monitors and assesses elm trees within a one-kilometre radius of any confirmed case.

The established DED protocol zone, which already included Northmount, has now been expanded to a one-kilometre radius around the newly affected trees. Elm trees make up nearly 22 per cent of Edmonton's boulevard and open-space trees, with an estimated population of around 90,000. So far this year, the city has conducted 185,510 visual surveys and submitted 57 samples for testing.

All removed elm wood is disposed of at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre under special handling procedures. The city is asking Edmonton residents not to bring in or use firewood from outside the city. "Burn it where you buy it," the city advises, since importing infected firewood is the most common way beetles carrying Dutch elm disease are introduced to new areas.