The City is getting ready to trim elm trees once the seasonal ban is lifted.
Residents in Swift Current will be able to contact the City of Swift Current for tree trimming for any branches that are near powerlines or other infrastructure.
Michael Newell, parks manager for the City of Swift Current, encourages people to contact the City instead of taking any risks themselves.
"It's definitely a better idea to give Light and Power a call and get their expert opinion on what to do when you're pruning around electrical lines," said Newell.
The reason that the City is only now opening up calls for trimming elm trees is due to the annual ban on elm tree trimmings. Each year, from April to August, the province prohibits the cutting and moving of elm wood due to elm wood beetles. The beetles infest elm trees, and are 100 per cent fatal once they do move into a specimen.
Newell explained that once they are notified about a tree, they first go and complete an inspection.
"We get a lot of boulevard tree requests during the year, and we have a list to start with," said Newell.
He reminds people that they need to properly dispose of any elm wood trimmings, even after the ban is lifted. Elm wood is not accepted at composting sites and must be taken to the landfill to be properly disposed of.
"You can't store it on your property," said Newell. "If you do, you're risking potential fines of $500 for storage of that material."