A call for help from SOS Elms members

Issues facing our Urban Forest:

1) Elm Buffer Surrounding Saskatoon

There is an ever-increasing threat to our elm trees in Saskatoon due to the neglect of the thousands of elm trees in the buffer that surrounds our City. In order to prevent the spread of DED it is critical to ensure that the elm trees that surround our communities are not a potential breeding ground for the elm bark beetle.  An outbreak of DED in the buffer zone would lead to thousands of dead and dying elms trees there, putting at risk the very valuable elm population of Saskatoon.  We understand that in 1999 the City of Saskatoon Forestry Section completed an inventory of elms that in the buffer zone, recording approximately 50,000 elms, many of which had severe die-back.  Given the generally low precipitation since 1999, no doubt there are increasing numbers of dead and dying elms in close proximity to Saskatoon.

The elms in the buffer are in the RM of Corman Park and the RM may be eligible for the provincial cost- sharing program for DED.  We should lobby them to apply for this funding.  This would be to their benefit as well as for protection of our city trees.  The RM has many shelterbelts on farm and acreages with elm trees.  We could emphasize how important a proactive approach to maintaining healthy elms would be to stop the spread of the disease.

2) Damage and/or removal of trees due to construction and damage caused during work done in close proximity to City trees.

Damage is being done during in-fill construction in our mature neighbourhoods and trees are not being protected adequately when sidewalk repairs and water and sewer work is being done near trees. We need to ensure that the City is putting adequate effort into protecting and preserving existing trees during construction and development projects. (eg. 25th street, South downtown). 

We must explore alternative construction methods and landscape planning to try and save existing trees rather than automatically taking them down whenever development occurs.  Often, changing the route of a pathway, adjusting a landscape design, and talking to the planners and engineers about the layout of utility lines and street construction could prevent injury or removal of trees. 
 
 
3) The City needs to step up tree maintenance of trees that are not included in its regular maintenance/pruning schedule.

The Woodlawn Cemetery is an example of trees that have been neglected and have deteriorated over the last ten years.   The City needs to put in place a watering program where each tree receives an adequate supply of water in addition to the watering of turf. The rule of thumb for watering trees is that 10 gallons of water for every inch in diameter of tree.    In other words there should be a watering program that waters the individual trees throughout the summer.  Your letter of concern could point out the poor condition and deterioration of the elms at Woodlawn Cemetery.


What can you do as a member to help protect our trees?

Write a letter to any/all of the following people and/or call them to tell them you are concerned about the threat of Dutch elm disease to our urban forest:

The Provincial Minister of the Environment
The manager of the Provincial DED Program
The Mayor and/or City Council
City Parks Branch Manager and the Superintendent of Forestry
The Star Phoenix
RM of Corman Park


Minister of the Environment
Room #208
Legislative Building
Regina, SK
S4S 0B3

Dr. Rory MacIntosh
Insect and Disease Specialist
Saskatchewan Environment
Box 3003
P.A. SK
SV6 6G1

Mayor Don Atchison and City Council
222 3rd Avenue North
Saskatoon, SK
S7K 0J5

The Star Phoenix
204 5th Avenue North
Saskatoon, Sk
S7K 2P1

Wayne Briant, Parks Branch Manager and/or Ian Birse, Superintendent of Forestry
1101 Avenue P North
Saskatoon Sk
S7L 7K6

Your individual City Councillor
(Names and phone numbers are listed in the blue pages (page 593) of the Saskatoon phone book)
Letters can be sent to:

City Hall
222 3rd avenue North
Saskatoon, SK
S7K 0J5

The Reeve and Councillors of the Rural Municipality of Corman Park
111 Pinehouse Drive
Saskatoon, SK
S7K 5W1

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