Dutch Elm Disease has struck in the Queen City.

Six trees have been infected by Elm bark beetles, effectively starving the tree to death.

Speaking just before a tree in Victoria Park was taken down, city pest control supervisor Ryan Johnston explained.

“What Dutch Elm disease is is a fungal disease, which essentially effects the vascular system of the tree,” Johnston said. “The tree will be unable to get water from the root system to the canopy of the tree. And the tree be be wilting and yellowing.”

The city said the dead, curied tend to stay on the tree and can kill a tree within weeks of infection.

And for the safety of the nearly 55,000 other city-owned elm trees in the city, the six trees are literally on the chopping block.

“This disease can be spread by a tiny beetle called the elm bark beetle, so it’s important to get these trees out of the system to get rid of the disease so it can’t spread from tree to tree,” Johnston said.  “Another thing in hopes it will deter it from root-grafting to … neighbouring trees.”

Residents are reminded not to transport elm wood in and out of the city, to try to keep the beetles out of Regina.

If you suspect a city-owned tree has Dutch Elm disease, you can report at 306-777-7000 or submit a service request to the city.  The city also has a Dutch Elm Disease brochure available on their website.