Dutch Elm Disease has hit Wakamow Valley in record numbers this summer and is at risk of spreading to the city as well.

Currently, the Parks and Recreation Department is waging an ongoing battle in order to slow the spread of the infection. In order to prevent the disease from spreading to South Hill, workers have begun injecting fungicide directly into specific trees close to the Valley.

Parks gardener Sarah Regent explains that this technique is very effective.

"That fungicide will prevent the tree from getting Dutch Elm Disease for three years. It works kind of like a vaccine for trees...and if we can immunize a few trees then it helps slow the infection. It's fewer sources of infection."

Regent says they are targeting bigger and healthier trees in order to protect the most valuable flora. She points out that the public also has an important role to play in the effort:

 "We really appreciate it when people report trees that are looking sickly. Even if they're not sure it's an elm. We'd rather that than have elms that are sick for a few weeks before our crews can get there on their regular inspections."

It is also essential that residents take measures to reduce the possibility of dutch elm bark beetles breeding in their yards.

"It's actually illegal to store any form of elm firewood. Even when the wood is off the tree it can still act as a breeding ground for elm bark beetles. So all elmwood has to go to the landfill as soon as possible."

You can get an elmwood disposal permit from the Parks and Recreation Department which will get the wood into the landfill for free and will ensure that it is buried in a timely manner.