Charlottetown Dutch elm disease program faces test

The City of Charlottetown should know this summer whether its program to battle Dutch elm disease is making a difference.

That is what we are anticipating, that there will be a lot fewer that are diseased.- Beth Hoar

Last year the city removed close to 350 diseased elm trees in the hopes that would reduce the spread of the fungus.

"We had taken out all of the ones we had identified as having Dutch elm disease," said city parkland conservationist Beth Hoar.

"This is the first time we will have been caught up. So this summer will really give us an indication of whether we are going to have lower disease levels. That is the whole idea of the program, and that is what we are anticipating, that there will be a lot fewer that are diseased."

The city will be monitoring all the elms in the city this summer to see if it has made a difference. Hoar said the leaves need to be fully out before any symptoms can be seen.

Yellow or brown leaves in the canopy can indicate a problem.

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