Kamsack is losing 25 of its big, beautiful, century-old, leafy green, shade-providing elm trees that line its streets and avenues.

            Workmen are in the process of cutting down, hauling away and burning the 25 trees which in July had been identified as having been affected by the dreaded Dutch elm disease (DED).

            It was during a pre-scheduled audit of the trees that the 25 affected trees were identified, Mayor Nancy Brunt, said last week after admitting to having been close to tears when learning of the situation.

            “This really upsets me,” Brunt said. These trees didn’t have to be destroyed. The DED beetle was not in the community. Someone brought the insects into Kamsack with firewood in spite of all the signs and information warning persons to not bring elm wood into a community.            The trees affected are mostly in an area that includes the intersections of Second and First streets with West Avenue, she said, adding that an investigation is expected to indicate where that infected firewood had been deposited.

It is estimated it will cost $5,000 to remove the 25 infected trees

It would be up to SERM (Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management) to charge individuals, she said.

It is expected to cost about $5,000 to eliminate the 25 trees. The town’s public works staff and equipment are being used to remove the trees they can, while the others will be removed by contracted persons with more elaborate equipment.

It is possible that the costs of the trees’ removal may be passed on to the owners of the properties on which the infected firewood was discovered, Brunt said.

Another inspection of the community will be held next year to determine if the disease has spread to any other trees.

It has been several years since a tree with DED has been detected in Kamsack, she said. People must remember not to import elm wood.

Dutch elm disease is caused by a fungus spread by tiny elm bark beetles that breed under the bark of dead or dying elm wood, said information on the provincial government website. If that wood contains the DED fungus, each new generation of beetles can infect healthy elms.

“You can help prevent DED by: keeping your own elm trees healthy; not pruning elm trees from April 1 to August 31; if you see signs of DED, report them to your municipal authority; not buying, selling, storing, transporting or using elm firewood, which is illegal; removing and disposing of the tree promptly if DED is confirmed; and by supporting DED management in your community.”

To detect Dutch elm disease, one should, beginning in late June to mid-July, look for: flagging, when the leaves of one or more branches near the top of the tree may wilt, curl, turn yellow and then brown, remaining on the tree and staining, an infected twig sample will have red streaks through the sapwood.

Provincial regulations prohibit pruning of elm trees from April 1 to August 31 each year, the information said. The beetles are most active then, and fresh cuts attract them, increasing the chance of infection.

“If your elm needs attention during the pruning ban, because of a lighting strike or wind damage, you can remove broken branches but dispose of them right away.”

It’s illegal to transport, store or buy elm firewood because firewood is one of the main ways that DED is spread in Saskatchewan, it said. Elm bark beetles on infected firewood hitch a free ride with unsuspecting campers and homeowners, spreading the disease.

      “Don’t transport firewood when camping; avoid elm when cutting or buying firewood, and don’t store pruned elm wood to burn in a fireplace later,” it said. Dispose of elm wood immediately by burning or burying.

“Check with your local municipal authority for designated disposal sites and methods.”

Brunt was eager to share information regarding the benefits of trees, and released the following information she had acquired.

“An average size tree produces enough oxygen in one year to keep a family of four breathing.

“Three trees planted in the right place around buildings can cut air-conditioning costs up to 50 per cent.

“Trees increase the value of property. Houses surrounded by trees sell for 18-25 per cent higher than houses with no trees.

“Trees generate jobs and contribute raw materials for buildings, newspapers, books and more than 15,000 other forest products. Trees are renewable, biodegradable and recyclable. Wood by-products become such products as vitamins, plastics, vanilla flavouring, photographic film, toothpaste and medicines.

“By planting 20 million trees, the earth and its people will be provided with 260 million more tons of oxygen. Those same 20 million trees will remove 10 million tons of CO2.

“Trees provide shelter and food for wildlife such as birds, squirrels, and bugs. Groves of trees provide food and cover for larger mammals, such as raccoons and deer.

“Trees make people feel good. Workers are more productive when they see trees along their commute routes and from their office windows.

“Hospital patients who have a view of trees heal faster, use fewer pain medications, and leave the hospital sooner than patients with a view of a brick wall. Patients with a view of trees spend eight per cent fewer days in the hospital.

“Consumers are willing to spend more money in shopping districts with trees. They are willing to pay more for products purchased in a shopping district with trees. Those same shoppers also say they are willing to stay longer and rate the products and stores as higher quality in a shopping district with the trees.

“Trees in the landscape relax us, lower heart rates, and reduce stress.”