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            The Town of Preeceville has been declared a Dutch elm disease-free zone with no trees having the disease.

“We have done some investigating but to date we have not discovered the disease in the town," said Lorlei Karcha, administrator.

            The ban for pruning elm trees was in effect from April 1 to August 31.

            Dutch elm disease (DED) is caused by a member of the  (Ascomycota) affecting  trees, and is spread by elm , said the website.

            Although believed to be originally native to , the disease was accidentally introduced into Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌý, where it has devastated native populations of elms that did not have resistance to the disease. It has also reached . The name "Dutch elm disease" refers to its identification in 1921.