Saskatchewan elm tree pruning ban begins April 1

A pruning ban on elm trees in Saskatchewan begins on April 1 and runs through to August in an attempt to prevent the spread of Dutch elm disease.

Saskatchewan’s annual pruning ban on elm trees begins on April 1st and will run until Aug. 31.

This provincial ban happens each year to try and slow the spread of Dutch elm disease, which is caused by a fungus spread by elm bark beetles.

The province explains that the beetles are attracted to freshly cut elm trees and that the risk of infection increases as the beetles become more active in warmer weather.

The province shared details on protecting elm trees in the community:

The province said that the complete removal of an elm tree (rather than pruning) is allowed at any time of the year, but it is expected that all of the elm wood is properly disposed of quickly.