6th case of Dutch elm disease confirmed in Edmonton since last August

It had been several months since a tree with Dutch elm disease (DED) was spotted in Edmonton, but the count has now gone up to six trees in total in the past year.

The City of Edmonton says an elm along a boulevard in the Alberta Avenue neighbourhood tested positive for the deadly fungal disease.

The diseased tree, along with all elm trees within 20 metres, will be removed. The city adds extensive additional testing of trees in the vicinity is underway.

It’s the sixth confirmed case in the capital city since August 2024, though it’s the first since October. The previous five infected trees were in the Killarney and Yellowhead Corridor East neighbourhoods.

“This additional confirmed case does not change our approach as we continue assessments, removals and testing in coordination with the province and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” said Mark Beare, the city’s director of infrastructure operations. “While any positive test is disappointing, we remain confident that this collaborative approach is helping to limit the spread of the disease.”

Dutch elm disease is a contagious fungal infection that poses a major risk to nearby elm trees.

“An ongoing diligent pruning program to remove the deadwood in elms is necessary to reduce the habitat of the beetles which may spread the fungus,” the city said in a news release.

Edmontonians are asked to help limit the spread of Dutch elm disease by not bringing firewood from another jurisdiction; removing bark beetle habitat; and calling 311 if you see signs of the disease.

There are some 90,000 elm trees in Edmonton.