The annual ban on pruning elm trees in the province will kick in on Thursday, April 1.
The ban, which continues until August 31, is designed to limit the spread of Dutch elm disease (DED). During this period, it is illegal to prune elm trees.
The timing of the ban aligns with the time of year when the elm bark beetles that spread DED are most active. Trimming your trees can attract the insects, increasing the chance of an infection.
There are other ways you can protect your trees:
- prune your elms before or after the ban period;
- remove unhealthy and dead elm wood cuts, reducing places for beetles to breed and the risk of infection; and
- if you see an elm showing signs of DED, report it to your local municipality .
Signs of DED appear around late June.
Ensure you dispose of all elm wood as soon as possible and do so properly. Elm trees can be removed at any time of year, but you will need an elm wood disposal permit from the city.
Transporting wood can also spread DED and other diseases. There are restrictions in place regarding the transportation of elm firewood.
More information on DED is available on the city's website, or visit www.saskatchewan.ca/forestry.
