City reminds residents to avoid the spread of Dutch elm disease

MOOSE JAW — The City of Moose Jaw is reminding residents that it is illegal to store, transport, or use elm trees as firewood in the Province of Saskatchewan without authorization.

Elm trees can be susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease (DED), a deadly fungal infection spread by elm bark beetles as they fly from tree to tree.

Due to transmission of DED being more likely when the beetles are active during the spring and summer months, there is also an elm tree pruning ban in effect in Saskatchewan from April 1 through August 31.

For additional information, and if you need help to identify an elm tree, please contact the City of Moose Jaw Parks and Recreation Department at 306-694-4447, or ‘Report an Issue’ on MooseJaw.ca or on the free City app. You can also find more on the Province of Saskatchewan’s Dutch Elm Disease page.