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The number of Dutch elm disease cases in Saskatoon almost quadrupled between 2024 and 2025, increasing 10 times since 2023, according to a city report. An additional $1.7 million is being sought for urban forestry and pest management capital funding. It was part of a report submitted to the city’s environment, utilities and corporate services committee meeting that was planned for Tuesday, but will now be discussed in March. It states there were 41 cases of Dutch elm disease (DED) in 2025, 11 cases in 2024, and four in 2023. The city said the disease is now widespread in Saskatoon, and it is looking at moving from a prevention approach to active management. …A response plan from the city was put in place last year, resulting in the rapid removal of infected trees. The city said 14,400 kilograms of wood stored on residential properties was removed by the parks department, and residents and commercial customers disposed more than 2,200 tonnes of elm wood.