City calling on province to match budget to save elm trees

The City of Winnipeg wants to double its annual budget to save the elms, and it's calling on the province to do the same.

The new enhanced strategy to battle Dutch Elm Disease calls on the city and province, to match $3.7 million in new spending, for each of the next five years.

Winnipegis believed to have the largest urban American elm population in any city in North America.

The city has been a leader in Dutch Elm Disease management, but last year the rate of elm losses rose to an all-time high.         

This year the city spent $2.7 million battling Dutch Elm Disease. the province spent $1 million.

If the province agrees to match city funding, $7.4 million would be available to protect the city's elm trees annually.