City of Estevan's Parks and Facilities Manager Rod March is in the process of surveying Estevan for Dutch Elm Disease. March explains, "With the dry winter we had some trees show some symptoms, but it doesn't mean it has Dutch Elm Disease, many trees are suffering from the dry winter." 

Dutch elm disease is a fungus transmitted by a beetle that goes from tree to tree, bringing the disease with it. The disease will kill the tree within a year. 

Carnduff has had four cases this year as well as oxbow has a few cases. There were no cases last year and to try and help keep them safe; March sprayed all 760 city Dutch elm trees last year. 

The Dutch elm ban is on every year from April 1 until August 31, and the provincial legislative states that during the Dutch Elm Ban there is no pruning, no transport or storage of elm wood and the provincial legislative fine is up to $250 000.

March expects to be finished the survey early August and will have results mid to late August.