With roughly 90,000 trees ( and accounting for nearly 22% of the City of Edmonton's boulevard and open space inventory) elm trees are vital to our urban landscape. They enhance our public spaces and play a critical role in cooling neighbourhoods across the city.
Unfortunately, Dutch elm disease (DED) continues to pose a very serious threat to Edmonton’s urban forest. DED is a fungal disease that is spread by elm bark beetles and root systems, and it was first confirmed in Edmonton in 2024. Our Integrated Pest Management team has been working with provincial and federal agencies and organizations tirelessly, executing a multi-part management plan to monitor, contain and limit the spread of the disease.
Environmental shifts and climate impacts like this unfold gradually, subtly eroding the natural assets we value most over time, which is why we need to work hard to control the spread together. Here is the latest update on where things stand, what the City is doing and how residents can help protect our trees.
Latest Update: Calder
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On September 28th, testing confirmed a positive result for Dutch elm disease in the Calder neighbourhood.
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Proactive removal of the infected tree was completed the following day and ground surveillance and extensive testing in the protocol zone continued to catch any further signs of infection early.
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City crews have conducted over 192,000 city-wide visual inspections so far this year. From these inspections, 11 positive cases have been confirmed in 2026.
What the City is doing to stop the spread:
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Crews carry out ongoing and routine visual inspections on both public and private trees in protocol zones, using beetle traps to track beetle populations and movement.
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TreeAzin Systemic Insecticide is injected into select trees to control scale insects and weevils, reducing stress on elms so they can resist disease-carrying beetles.
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Arbotect 20-S Fungicide is injected into select, high-value public elms within protocol zones to protect against fungal infections.
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City-owned trees with severe dieback or those growing in high-risk locations (ie. alleys) are removed to eliminate breeding habits for bark beetles.
Signs to look for:
Early detection of infection is essential, residents can keep an eye out fit symptoms on elm trees in your yard and neighbourhoods:
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Between late June and mid-July, leaves on one or more branches may wilt, droop, curl and turn brown (often while remaining attached to the tree and not falling)
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Later in the season, leaves may turn yellow and droop prematurely.
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Look for branches with unusually small leaves, sparse foliage or completely bare limbs at the top of the tree.
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Brown staining on the sapwood beneath the bark of wilting twigs or tiny holes (the size of pencil lead) accompanied by sawdust.
How residents can help:
Please stay informed on the early detection signs, but also the provincial and municipal regulations that enforce specific rules to prevent beetles from spreading the fungus.
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Pruning elms is strictly prohibited from April 1- September 30. This is when bark beetles are most active and attracted to fresh tree wounds.
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Pruning is permitted from October 1- March 31.
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Do not transport firewood into Edmonton from other jurisdictions or provinces. Storing or possessing elm wood is prohibited.
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All pruned elm branches, wood or removed trees must be taken directly to the Edmonton Waste Management Centre- residential disposal is free of charge.
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Never store elm wood as firewood, take it to Eco stations or place in a yard waste collection. Stumps should be debarked or ground down 10cm below soil line.
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If a tree on private property tests positive for DED, the property owner is legally required under the Agricultural Pests Act to remove the tree and grind the stump to eliminate pest habitats.
Our elm trees are integral parts of the tree canopy, they help provide shade, lower urban temperatures, enhance neighbourhood charm and absorb storm runoff. By working together, reporting symptoms quickly, respecting the seasonal pruning ban and disposing of elm wood properly, we can preserve Edmonton’s urban forest for years to come.
For more detailed information, permit applications, or pest reporting, visit the City of Edmonton Dutch Elm Disease Webpage. and watch this video for tips for pruning your elm tree.
If you suspect DED on a public or private tree, please call 311 or report it online immediately so City inspectors can sample it. Under the provincial Agricultural Pests Act, City inspectors have authority to inspect and sample suspected private trees.
