Elm pruning season is about to start in Saskatchewan. The annual pruning ban expires on labour day, and owners of elm trees are encouraged to remove any dead branches. The ban is designed to prevent the spread of Dutch Elm Disease, as fresh cuts into elm wood attract elm bark beetles, a major carrier of the disease. However, if owners leave dead branches on their elm trees, this also puts them at risk, since the beetles feed on dead branches.
If anyone’s tree is infected with the disease, they are encouraged to cut it down as soon as possible, and either burn the wood, or bury it at least 25 cm underground to prevent the beetles in the bark from escaping.