Dutch elm disease striking more trees

Dutch elm disease is on the increase in P.E.I., says an owner of a tree removal service.

Jerry Arsenault, owner of The Branch Manager Tree Service, said there's been about a 30 per cent increase each year in the number of elm trees his business removes.

"We cut down 50 last year and I'm sure there's 60 or 70 if you look around this year," said Arsenault.

Dutch elm disease is a fungus that is spread by a type of beetle.

"So once the disease hits, it spreads and goes pretty fast. The beetle is always looking for dead branches to nest in and that's how it infects the trees so it just multiplies," said Arsenault.

When Dutch elm disease first hit the Island about 20 years ago, Arsenault said he would cut around two trees each year.