Wolseley residents band together to save neighbourhood's elm trees

August 19, 2025

About 10 blocks of Wolseley’s elm trees will be inoculated over the next two weeks through a community-led initiative to fight Dutch elm disease. Residents are urging the city to step up efforts to protect these decades-old trees. [Click here to read the full story.]

In Winnipeg’s Wolseley neighbourhood, residents are taking action to preserve their historic elm trees, raising funds to protect them from the devastating spread of Dutch elm disease.

Frustrated by the steady loss of mature trees lining their boulevards, community members have so far raised $25,000, allowing them to hire Green Drop Lawn Care to inoculate 53 elm trees. The treatment involves injecting the trees with a fungicide that provides protection for up to three years.

“This is about saving what makes Wolseley feel like home,” said Ian Dyck, a member of the Wolseley Residents’ Association tree committee.

“The city only removes infected trees, but doesn’t inoculate healthy ones. At this rate, we could lose every elm within the next 10 to 20 years.”

According to Dyck, inoculating a single tree costs around $700, making community fundraising critical. Dutch elm disease is currently killing about 20 elm trees each year in Wolseley alone.

For longtime residents, the loss of the towering canopy isn’t just an environmental concern—it’s about neighbourhood identity. David Barclay, who lives in the area, said: “Watching crews take down elm after elm is heartbreaking. Without them, the streets will look bare—just wires overhead instead of greenery.”

Neighbour Amanda Le Rougetel echoed those concerns, describing the spray-painted red markings on doomed trees as “a circle of death.”

The Wolseley Residents’ Association now hopes to raise $100,000 to continue inoculations, with a GoFundMe campaign underway. Still, Dyck emphasizes that residents are covering the costs for trees that are on city-owned property, and hopes the city will eventually support their efforts.

“We’re stepping up because we care deeply about our neighbourhood, but ultimately, it shouldn’t fall only on residents to save public trees.”

Last year, the City of Winnipeg removed more than 3,000 infected elms from boulevards and parks. A city spokesperson confirmed Winnipeg does not provide inoculations, focusing only on tree removal.

For now, community volunteers remain determined. Crews are expected to continue inoculations in Wolseley over the next two weeks, giving dozens of trees a fighting chance at survival.

Read the full article on CBC News: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/elm-trees-winnipeg-inoculation-1.7612355