Indigo Shire Council has received tenders for the treatment of Indigo Shire Elm trees to combat the devastation of the trees' foliage by the insect known as the Elm Leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta luteola).

Indigo Shire Council Mayor Cr Peter Graham said Council had 970 Elm trees listed in its exotic tree register across the Shire, located in road reserves and Council parks.   

He said there were three treatment methods considered by Council, to allow the pesticide "Confidor" to be used. 

“These are canopy spaying, in stem of tree injection and in ground injection,” he said.

“Anecdotal evidence has shown that the canopy spraying is effective for one season, and in ground injection provides a satisfactory treatment for two years.    

 “Investigations into in stem injection show that it can be harmful to the trees as it requires holes to bored into the trunk of the tree.  

“There are also other methods of treatment, but these can be very labour intensive and have greater cost ramifications to Council.”

Cr Graham said every tree must be treated to reduce the impact of the beetle.    

He said to assist residents that have elm trees on their property, Council was prepared to coordinate contact with Council's contractor, so that it could carry out treatment while in the area treating Council trees.  

“This will reduce the cost of treatment to the trees of private property owners,” he said.     

“Any private works must be negotiated between the owner of that property and Council's contractor.   

“There are other qualified Elm Leaf beetle treatment contractors, that can be found in the yellow pages or from the Friends of the Elms at  http://home.vicnet.net.au/~fote.

“Treatment is carried out at very specific seasons of the year to ensure the most effective result, so the contractor will be in the Shire just before leaf bud burst, anticipated in August - September.” 

Treatment of trees for the Elm Leaf beetle has been arranged for August 06.    

Any private tree treatment using Council ' s contractor must be notified to  Council by end of July otherwise there can be no guarantee that Council's Contractor can meet their Elm Leaf treatment requirements 

If you wish to have Council's contractor contact you please ring Ali Pockley at Indigo Shire Council on (02) 6028 1100, providing your name, address and phone number.