The Town of Preeceville has been declared a Dutch elm disease-free zone with no trees having the disease.
“We have done some investigating but to date we have not discovered the disease in the town," said Lorlei Karcha, administrator.
The ban for pruning elm trees was in effect from April 1 to August 31.
Dutch elm disease (DED) is caused by a member of the sac fungi (Ascomycota) affecting elm trees, and is spread by elm bark beetles, said the website.
Although believed to be originally native to Asia, the disease was accidentally introduced into America and Europe, where it has devastated native populations of elms that did not have resistance to the disease. It has also reached New Zealand. The name "Dutch elm disease" refers to its identification in 1921.
