Tree protection

Controlling pests is critical to preserving our urban forest.

Dutch elm disease is the invasive pest posing the biggest threat to our urban forest.

  • We remove upwards of 6,000 American elms every year due to DED.
  • Proactive, rapid removal of infected and dying trees is the best way to manage the disease.

Emerald ash borer is an increasing threat.

  • We first detected EAB in Winnipeg in 2017. We implemented a “slow ash mortality” program to limit spread.
  • We found and removed only 22 infected trees between 2017 and 2025.
  • Unfortunately, we discovered a new group of EAB-infected trees in early 2026. We are now removing more infected trees and reviewing our approach to manage EAB .

We are also continually looking for damage caused by cankerworms, elm spanworm, and elm scale. We are also watching for the Asian long-horned beetle, elm zigzag sawfly, and spongy moth. These pests are damaging trees in many areas of North America, but we have not yet found established populations in Winnipeg.

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