For the first time ever, Dutch Elm Disease has struck in Regina's Wascana Park.

A tree was chopped down and destroyed to prevent spreading.

Before the chainsaw made it's mark, the infected tree clearly looked in trouble compared those standing along side it with shedded leaves and withered branches.

With it now gone, Wascana Centre Authority's Leon Brin mainatins the focus is protecting the other elms, which are now being monitord and tested.

Dutch Elm Disease is caused by a fungus which attaches to the elm bark beetle. It prevents the tree from gtting nutrients.

The infected tree was one of the original trees planted in the park, and will be in the range of one hundred years old.