The Town of Okotoks is currently going through the process of treating Black Knot Disease on local trees in the area.

Parks Manager Christa Michailuck says it's a disease that only affects a couple of species of trees the Town no longer plants.

"Black Knot Disease is a fungus that is native to our region and very prevalent here," she says. "Schubert choke cherries, the Western Native choke cherries and Mayday trees that a lot people have in their yards and that the Town used to have planted along boulevards and medians fairly predominately."

Michailuck says the disease is easy detect on trees, thanks to its name.

"The disease itself looks like initially like a swollen branch and then as it progresses it kind looks like a stick black burnt on the branch. It cuts off the nutrients from flowing to that branch whether that lump is found on the tree."

She says the only way to treat Black Knot Disease is by pruning the affected branch.

"Those pruned branches need to go to the landfill or be burned or buried," Michailuck says. "The biggest prevention is to not plant the susceptible species."

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com