The City of Prince Albert says residents will have to prune their elm trees by March 31st, or delay until early fall. The provincial ban on pruning elm trees will be in effect between April 1st and August 31st. The ban ensures that elm bark beetles, which transmit Dutch Elm Disease (DED), are not attracted to the pruning cuts when these beetles are most active.

The disease was first discovered in Saskatchewan in 1981 and continues to be found in more areas of the province every year. It is caused by a fungus that clogs the tree’s water conducting system, which eventually causes the tree to die, usually within one or two seasons.
The early symptoms of the disease usually appear by July when the leaves on one or more branches wilt, curl, turn yellow and then die. The only effective management strategy for the elm bark beetle is to deprive it of its breeding habitat. This involves keeping elm trees healthy by removing potential breeding material in trees and eliminating detached elm wood.

Elm Tree Removal Year Round

Elm removal can occur at any time of the year with approval from the Municipal DED Inspector, however the entire tree must be removed and all waste elm be transported to the nearest approved landfill site in the municipality where the elm was removed.
Disposing of Elm Wood
Elm stumps and any fallen branches or any wood from a fallen elm tree must be disposed of properly at an approved landfill site. Under no circumstances should elm wood be left lying around or stored for firewood or other purposes.
In Prince Albert, the City’s landfill, located north of Prince Albert, is an approved site. Please note that there will be a fee for commercial hauling of green waste.
If you are unsure if the tree(s) in question are Elm, we would encourage you to contact the Community Services Department at the number below so that proper identification can be made and direction provided.