As of September 1, the ban placed on the pruning or trimming of elm trees was lifted. 

The ban is in effect annually from April 1, to August 31. This time frame is chosen to coincide with the elm bark beetles most active season. 

Brian Poniatowski, Forest Insect and Disease Program Specialist for the Government of Saskatchewan explained. 

“Dutch Elm disease is killing Elm trees throughout the eastern half of southern Saskatchewan and it has been since the 1990's, and we are seeing now in recent years a western spread,” he said. 

Dutch Elm Disease (DED) is a fungus that kills elm trees. It is commonly spread by bark beetles.  

The first sign of DED is wilted branches, which will then turn yellow. As the leaves continue to dry out, they will turn brown which is referred to as ’flagging’. 

“The beetles will move the fungus from infected trees to healthy trees throughout the summer. Trees that have that sound disease, if they have another tree beside it with the roots touching then it can spread through the roots from one tree to another, which is what happens often in communities where they have Elms lining the streets,” Poniatowski continued. 

He also emphasizes the importance of pruning trees disposing of wood properly. 

Incorrect pruning can damage trees and spread DED or other diseases.  Under provincial regulations, anyone pruning elms commercially must have completed a recognized training program or be supervised by someone who has.   

“Transporting wood is one of the ways that that's all diseases spread from community to community by people taking down diseased trees and then using that wood for firewood and moving it to another location, that's like one of the main ways that it's that it's been spreading is through the movement of firewood.” 

“Know that if you are pruning an Elm or removing an Elm that wood is properly disposed of,” he continued. “Which would be taking it to your local landfill, where they'll either burn it or bury it.” 

If you suspect a tree may have DED, or for more information, contact the Ministry of Environment's Inquiry Centre at 1-800-567-4224 or centre.inquiry@gov.sk.ca.