People will be able to do a bit more yard work this Labour Day long weekend as pruning elm trees will once again be allowed beginning Monday. The final day of the annual ban on pruning elm trees is August 31, with work beginning afterwards.
The ban, put in place between April 1 to August 31, is done to reduce the risk of spreading Dutch Elm Disease (DED), a fungus spread by elm bark beetles that kills elm trees. Freshly cut branches attract the beetles and risk spreading the disease to new trees.
Regular pruning outside the ban period is necessary to keep trees healthy and better able to resist all kinds of diseases, including DED. Removing dead wood also makes trees less attractive to elm bark beetles and other pests. Dead branches will be easier to spot before leaves start dying, making the early fall weather ideal for tree maintenance.
Anyone pruning elm trees commercially must have completed a provincially recognized training program or be under the supervision of someone who has. Many areas also have rules around the disposal of any elm wood, with anyone pruning their trees asked to check with their municipality about proper elm wood disposal in their area.
For more information, or if you suspect an elm tree may have DED, you can call the Ministry of Environment's Inquiry Centre at 1-800-567-4224.