Rather than pass the extra money on to his customers, Shiell took his wood back to his workshop to cut into tiny pieces. However, he worries that other people won t be so conscientious.
He s already heard of people in the industry seeing elm wood being thrown out in ditches around the city. Shouldn t the city be trying to contain that disease? he asked. Whose perspective are they really trying to work from here?
Arborist Quill Shiell worries that people will dump elm logs outside of the landfill because of the new rule.(Don Somers/CBC)
City response
However, the City of Saskatoon said it did not believe the policy will spread Dutch elm disease. In a statement, Environmental Operations manager Brock Storey wrote that most households disposing of elm wood will fall under the size requirements and the fine would not be applicable.