Pruning Ban for Elm Trees Takes Effect Friday, April 1

The City reminds residents that the provincial ban on pruning elm trees is from Friday, April 1 to Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

 

Provincial regulations prohibit the pruning of elm trees during this time to ensure that elm bark beetles, which transmit Dutch elm disease (DED), are not attracted to freshly pruned elms when the beetles are most active. Anyone wishing to prune elm trees during the ban must obtain a permit and are asked to call the City’s Parks Department at 306-975-3300 for more information.

 

Provincial regulations also prohibit the storing, transport and use of elm wood for any purpose. This includes wood chips, firewood, wood slabs and branches. The only permitted movement of elm wood is to the City’s designated disposal site at the City Landfill. 

 

Elm trees make up about 25% of Saskatoon's urban forest. Last year, the City confirmed its third case of DED since 2015 in an elm tree located in Leif Erickson Park in the Westmount neighbourhood. As part of the City's DED Response Plan, the infected tree was immediately removed and disposed of at the City Landfill. The City will continue surveillance and testing of public and private elm trees in the surrounding area with an intensive search for elm material and other sources of infection. 

 

DED is a serious disease caused by a fungus that clogs the elm tree’s water and nutrient conducting system, which eventually causes the tree to die. DED was introduced in North America in the 1930s and has since wiped out millions of elms across Canada and the United States.  

 

In Saskatchewan, the disease is spread by several species of elm bark beetles. These beetles can fly farther than two kilometres in search of elm trees. The DED fungus has tiny spores that stick to the body of the beetle. Elm bark beetles can carry these spores and infect other elm trees. The fungus can also be spread by infected pruning tools. 

 

The most effective management strategy for DED is to not transport or store elm wood. Firewood containing elm bark beetles is the most likely way that DED would be brought into Saskatoon. 

Residents can help prevent DED by:

American elm trees with DED may start showing symptoms as early as June. Typically, the leaves will start to wilt and turn yellow, then curl and turn brown. Anyone suspecting that an elm tree is unhealthy is encouraged to complete the online form at saskatoon.ca/dutchelmdisease or call Urban Forestry at 306-975-2890.

 

By following the provincial regulations and maintaining elm trees on your private property, all residents can help prevent the spread of DED in Saskatoon. 

 

For more information on DED, visit saskatoon.ca/dutchelmdisease