The public are being asked to remain vigilant in spotting signs of Dutch elm disease in trees in the island.

An appeal from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is asking residents to ’See It, Snap It, Send It’ in their continuing efforts to prevent the spread of the disease.

Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, Geoffrey Boot MHK said: ’Everyone in our community has a role to play in helping prevent the spread of this devastating disease.’

The disease is caused by a fungus which is spread from infected to healthy trees by elm bark beetles.

This year’s warm weather has created perfect conditions for the beetles to move between trees.

The latest appeal comes following work to save a 300-year-old tree at Milntown in Ramsey, which is thought to be the largest and oldest elm on the island.

Thanks to prompt reporting by the Milntown estate staff, only diseased parts of the tree have been removed and it is hoped the pruning will prevent the disease spreading to other parts of the tree, allowing it to be retained.

Symptoms of the disease for the public to look for are wilting leaves and young shoots, premature yellowing or discolouration of leaves and retention of dead leaves or bare twigs and branches.

Mr Boot said: ’The disease didn’t reach the island until 1992, by which time the UK had lost 90% of its elm trees - around 20 million.

’Such was the scale of the devastation in the elm population in the UK and further afield, many authorities are simply resigned to the fact that the disease is rampant.

’The Isle of Man is therefore relatively unique in its proactive focus on prevention of the disease.

’This has involved a vigorous programme of felling and burning over the past quarter of a century.’

To report a case of the disease, all that’s needed is a photo of the tree and a description of its location or grid reference.

This can be sent via email to [email protected], text message or WhatsApp on 07624 490713, or reported on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DefaHillsForestsGlens.