The province is lifting its annual seasonal ban on elm tree pruning with fall here and yardwork coming into focus.
Saskatchewan prohibits the pruning of elm trees during the spring and summer to reduce the risk of Dutch Elm Disease (DED) between trees. That's mainly spread through elm bark beetles, which carry the fundus which causes DED.
Those beetles are most active from April to August, oftentimes attracted to healthy elm trees due to the scent released by them during pruning.
The province recommends saving that pruning until fall as elm bark beetles are much less active and unhealthy branches infected with DED are much easier to spot and dispose of.
Pruning elm trees yearly also keeps those healthy, which overall reduces the risk an elm bark beetle will make its home there, lowering the risk of DED.
In order to prune an elm tree - and avoid incorrect practices that could injure or stress a tree, making it more susceptible to disease - the province says commercial elm tree pruners must complete a recognized training program or be supervised by someone who has.
The province reminds people that it's illegal to transport, use, or store elm firewood in Saskatchewan, as that can be a vector for DED.
Residents are allowed to transport elm wood for proper disposal at an elm tree disposal site, with the province asking them to do that promptly at a location approved by their local municipality.