Keeping Lethbridge Dutch Elm-free

Last year, Lethbridge saw its first cases ever of Dutch Elm Disease (DED).  The disease is spread by a fungus carried by the elm bark beetles from one elm tree to another. Parks Operations Manager, Hiroshi Okubo presented to the Civic Works Standing Policy Committee Meeting Tuesday afternoon.  He says he plans to hire two additional inspectors to educate the community on the causes and effects of DED, to keep Lethbridge Dutch Elm-free.

The city has approximately 6,000 publicly-owned elms with a value of $27 million.  They account for one third of Lethbridge’s canopy.