Two trees in the Glengarry neighbourhood and two others in Rossdale have tested positive for Dutch elm disease, the fungal infection threatening urban canopies. The city says the four new cases bring the total number of infected trees in Edmonton to 14 since the disease was first detected in 2024. The trees will be removed to contain the contagious fungus, which is spread through bark beetles on elm wood. The city says it’s continuing to get rid of infected trees and elms within 20 metres of confirmed cases, alongside immediate pruning to clear deadwood and dispose of it at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre with strict handling procedures. Sick trees in the Calder, Northmount and Rossdale neighbourhoods were previously removed after testing positive for Dutch elm disease earlier this month. Elm trees make up 90,000 or 22 per cent of the city’s open space and boulevard tree inventory. The city reminds residents to not move firewood back home after camping, follow provincial pruning ban guidelines and dispose of elm wood properly. Signs of Dutch elm disease can be reported to 311.
