Elm tree pruning ban starts April 1 in Saskatchewan

REGINA – It’s another sign of spring – the yearly ban on pruning elm trees in Saskatchewan.

Starting April 1 and running until Aug. 31, the pruning of elm trees is prohibited to reduce the risk of Dutch elm disease. Dutch elm disease was first discovered in

Saskatchewan in 1981 and continues to be found in areas of the province each year.

The disease is caused by a fungus that clogs the tree’s water conducting system, which leads to the tree dying within one to two seasons.

Early symptoms include leaves on one or more branches wilting, turning yellow and then dying.

Elm bark beetles, which spread the disease, are attracted to the fresh cuts.

Pruning is allowed outside the banned period, which allows trees to stay healthy and better resist all diseases, not just Dutch elm disease. Removing dead and dying elm wood through pruning reduces places where the beetles can breed.

Elm wood must be disposed of promptly, using a method chosen by each municipality. It is also illegal to store elm wood or use it for firewood.

In Saskatoon, the landfill is the only site approved for elm wood disposal.

There are approximately 25,000 elm trees located on public property in Saskatoon worth an estimated $45-million.