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Date: July 17, 1986 To: City Councilors From: Jeffrey A. Hale, City Arborist Subject: Update on Dutch Elm Disease This memo is an update and status report of the Dutch Elm disease. On June 2, 1986 the property owner at 610 E. 14th Avenue contacted the city Parks Department to report a dying tree in the city's right of way. The tree was confirmed to be dying upon inspection of the tree on June 6. On June 23, the Arboriculture crew led by Bob McBride removed the dying elm. After further inspection, McBride surmised that the tree was dying from the Dutch Elm disease, and the decision was made to send a twig sample of the tree to Oregon State University for further examination. A culture was taken to determine if the fungus which causes the disease was apparent on the sample. Samples were also taken from three other trees found in the same right of way as the dying tree. On June 26, under my direction and concern for the city's elm tree population, three more elm trees were removed. On June 27, inspection of an elm tree at 1372 Patterson also showed positive signs of heavy infestation of the beetle which carries the disease. The possibility of the disease spreading quickly to nearby trees during this critical time period, made it necessary for me to make the decision to remove the infected tree at 1372 Patterson Street. In working with Bill Wright of the State Agriculture Department, he confirmed that the five trees that were removed contained the disease. He stated that the city acted responsibly and took the necessary action by removing the trees in question before the actual test results were confirmed. Since that time, I have assigned Bob McBride to oversee the Dutch Elm program. This will be an on -going program for at least the next few years, if not indefinitely. In the months ahead, we will be conducting a thorough inventory the city's elm population. This includes trees growing in the right of ways and on private property. We estimate between 700 -1000 elm trees in the city. In order to control the spread of the disease within the city, we have stated that the city will perform the removal work if it is in the right of way or on private property. With the research to date, the removal rate in other cities has not exceeded one percent per year. In the case of Eugene, we estimate that one percent is fewer than 10 trees per year. At the same time, we are not at all sure how far the disease has spread, and /or the total magnitude of the problem. I will provide you with bi- monthly updates on the status of the disease. If that is too often, please let me know. rmjhelm2