Latest news with #urbanForest
CTV News
18-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Dutch Elm Disease found in trees at Regina's Wascana Centre
The province says two trees in Wascana Centre have been removed after testing positive for Dutch Elm Disease. According to the province, the trees were removed July 14 near Goose Hill and the Saskatchewan Science Centre. Since 2015, there have been five confirmed cases of Dutch Elm Disease in Wascana Centre, the province said. One case in 2014, one in 2019, one in 2024 and two in 2025. The Provincial Capital Commission (PCC) is responsible for the maintenance and future of the urban forest in the Wascana Centre as well as around Government House. 'Elm trees are an important part of Regina's tree canopy cover,' PCC executive director Jenna Schroeder said in a news release. 'Wascana Centre is proud to be a place where friends and families can gather and enjoy the outdoors at one of our many picnic spots.' 'To ensure the continued health of our trees, we remind visitors that it is illegal to transport, store or buy elm firewood,' she added. Wascana Centre also released its master plan for growth moving forward earlier this month. The City of Regina said on July 3 that it was seeing a Dutch Elm Disease outbreak, with 16 trees testing positive for the disease so far. Ray Morgan, the acting director of parks and open space services at the City of Regina, said the numbers so far are concerning. 'If it's this early in the season, our projection is it's going to be a long season for Dutch Elm Disease,' he said on July 3. 'We are about two weeks earlier than normal.' More to come…
CBC
04-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Concerns around Dutch elm disease growing in Regina
Social Sharing The City of Regina has had seven confirmed cases of Dutch elm disease this week, which brings the total up to 17 this season, a notably high number according to experts. The disease is caused by a microfungi called ascomycota, which attaches to elm bark beetles. It infiltrates a tree's vascular system and cuts off circulation. This is why the main visible symptoms are localized wilted branches and dead extremities, which are likely caused by a poor flow of nutrients. Ray Morgan, the city's acting director of parks and open space services, spoke to the work that crews were putting in to prevent, discover and remove infected trees. "Our projection is that it's going to be a long season for Dutch elm disease," Morgan said. "We're about two weeks earlier than normal, which is concerning." Morgan said the city has strong monitoring programs and removes trees as Dutch elm disease is confirmed. "Besides that, diversification in our urban forest is a big factor." There are approximately 180,000 trees in Regina, 60,000 of which are American Elm. According to Morgan, the city's trees were almost entirely elms 80 years ago, but now it is host to more than 20 species. Once residents call in a suspected case, an initial inspection takes place, then samples are taken to a lab where testing takes just over a week. Then, if the disease is confirmed, city crews come and take down the trees and test their neighbours to prevent an outbreak. "It could be just the stress on the trees with a lack of moisture," Morgan said, noting that drought conditions can hinder a tree's resilience. "If people are ordering firewood or storing their own firewood, please get it confirmed from the City or a contractor, whoever is supplying it." The city urges residents to avoid storing or transporting elm wood, inspect trees on or near their property, and avoid pruning elm trees in spring or summer.
CTV News
25-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
City trimming about 10,000 trees a year in maintenance program
The City of Windsor is releasing results of its proactive tree maintenance program to maintain a healthy and safe urban forest. With about 70,000 street trees across the city, the Forestry and Natural Areas team, led by city forester and manager Dr. Yemi Adeyeye, is working diligently to ensure the long-term health and safety of Windsor's tree canopy. 'To keep trees in good condition and reduce the risk of falling limbs, we've created a preventative tree maintenance program,' says Dr. Adeyeye. 'Under this program, we have a seven-year trimming cycle that means we're proactively trimming back about 10,000 trees each year.' In addition to city crews, four certified tree care contractors are engaged to carry out this work, all adhering to rigorous arboriculture (tree care) standards. These standards include removal of deadwoods, crossing limbs (up to four inches in diameter, which may be exceeded when necessary to improve tree shape or meet clearance requirements) and the promotion of healthy branching structure in each tree's canopy. Specific clearance guidelines are also followed over roads, sidewalks, driveways and homes, as follows: Clearance over curb: 450 centimetres (14 to 15 feet) Clearance over lawn: 240 centimetres (8 feet) Clearance over roofs: 300 centimetres (10 feet) Clearance over driveway: 300 centimetres (10 feet) Clearance around traffic signs: 60 centimetres (2 feet) Clearance around streetlight cables: 60 centimetres (2 feet) Clearance of streetlights for 45-degree-angle light pattern The seven-year tree trimming program started in 2021. The city also continues to respond to emergency and urgent requests for tree services as required. Residents with questions regarding the tree maintenance program or other forestry-related matters are encouraged to contact 311 or contact the forestry department at Forestry@ by email.
