disappeared. Up until the late 70's, Prince Edward Island had escaped the 
     
     damage this disease brought to the rest of the continent. Isolation from 
     
     the mainland, combined with aerial detection surveys and reports from 
     
     concerned citizens, prevented any serious problems. 
     
    

    
     In 1979, the disease was detected near central Prince County. Quick 
     
     action was taken to remove and bury all of the infected trees. the De- 
     
     partment of Energy and Forestry continued to monitor the situation but 
     
     over the next few years, no new outbreaks were reported. However, in 1985 
     
     the first positive case in several years was reported. Occuring in the 
     
     lffigf . same general area as the first infection, 
     
     E§"' it was dealt with immediately. With fin— 
     
    

    
     .“ agers crossed, the watch continued but in 
     
     3,}the following year, more infected trees 
     
    

    
     -'fwere discovered in an elm stand near Tyne 
     
     ’ Valley. 
     
    

    
     Previous incidents had been single 
     
     trees or in areas relatively isolated from 
     
     other elms. However this particular out— 
     
     break presented a bigger problem, as large 
     
     numbers of elms occurred in the area and 
     
     . a“ the potential to develop a base from which 
     
     ~ B- h ..~ the disease could spread became a reality. 
     
     Dutch Elm Disease is normally spread by European and/or native elm 
     
     bark beetle, which lays its eggs under the bark of dead and dying trees. 
     
     Elms infected or killed by the disease make ideal beetle nurseries where 
     
     larvae can come into contact with the fungus. When the larvae emerge as 
     
     adults, they fly off to feed under the bark of live elms, thus spreading 
     
     the fungus. 
     
    

    
     The disease can also be spread by overlapping tree roots. Tiny open- 
     
     ings in the roots allow the fungus to pass from tree to tree and start a 
     
     new infection. Once the disease has entered an area where elms grow in 
     
     abundance, this method of spread can become very important. 
     
    

    
     Both methods of infection are equally deadly, killing a healthy tree 
     
     in as little as a few months or taking as long as 2 to 3 years. 
     
    

    
     If you live in an area where elms are found, you can help contain 
     
     the spread of this serious disease by following a few rules and keeping 
     
     an eye out for the telltale signs: 
     
    

    
     1. Elm leaves which turn yellow and fall in early summer 
     
    

    
     2. Sudden wilting and browning of the leaves 
     
    

    
     (1 and 2 are usually contained on just one branch and not spread 
     
    

    
     across the tree.) 
     
    

    
     3. Dwarfing and increasing sparsity of leaves 
     
    

    
     4. Brownish/yellowish discoloration under the bark of twigs 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
       
     
        
     
        
     
        
     
       
     
    
   
   
    
     If you spot any of these symptoms on your elms: 
     
    

    
     A. DO NOT remove the trees yourself. Call an expert 
     
    

    
     B. DO NOT use the wood for fuel. Beetles can breed under the bark 
     
     when it is stacked in the woodpile 
     
    

    
     C. DO NOT sell the wood to anyone else as they may introduce the 
     
     disease into an uninfected area 
     
    

    
     D. CONTACT your local Forest District office as soon as possible. 
     
    
   
   
    
     There is no known cure for Dutch Elm Disease, so the emphasis must be 
     
     on prevention. By watching for the tell-tale signs and keeping your elms 
     
     well-pruned and healthy, you can play a part in controlling this deadly 
     
     disease. If you would like more information on Dutch Elm Disease, contact 
     
     your local forest district office. ’