Saskatchewan’s annual elm tree pruning ban ends on Tuesday

Saskatchewan’s annual ban on pruning elm trees comes to an end on Tuesday.

The provincial ban is in place from April 1 to Aug. 31 each year in an effort to slow the spread of Dutch elm disease. According to the Saskatchewan’s environment ministry, the disease is caused by a fungus spread by elm bark beetles, which are most active during the spring and summer months. The ban on pruning reduces the number of fresh cuts on elm trees, which can attract the beetles and spread the disease.

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“Whether you decide to hire someone to trim your trees or do it yourself, pruning correctly is important, to avoid damaging your trees or spreading diseases,” the ministry said in a statement.

“If you hire someone, make sure they are qualified. In Saskatchewan, anyone who prunes elm trees commercially must have completed a provincially recognized training program or be supervised by someone who has.”

The proper disposal of elm wood is also important to help curb the spread of Dutch elm disease, the ministry noted, explaining that elm wood should be disposed of promptly at a location designated by local municipalities.

Storing, using or transporting elm firewood, except for the purpose of disposal, is illegal in Saskatchewan, the ministry added.

In Saskatoon, 22 new cases of Dutch elm disease were identified this year.

Six of the affected trees were located in a row on the 200 block of Carleton Drive in College Park. Another group of three was in the 800 block of Avenue C North in Caswell Hill. All of the infected trees either have been or will be removed.

“Seeing six mature elm trees removed from a single block and three on another is a reminder of the very real impact Dutch elm disease is having on our neighbourhoods and urban canopy,” said Thai Hoang, director of parks for the City of Saskatoon.

“These trees have helped define the character of these streetscapes for decades. While tree removal is never something we take lightly, removing infected trees remains one of the most important actions we can take to help reduce the spread of the disease and protect healthy elms across Saskatoon.”

In a statement, the city said it will continue to monitor and test trees in the city to try to limit the spread of the disease.

Regina, meanwhile, had seen 26 confirmed cases of Dutch elm disease by mid-July. While that’s lower than the 87 total cases recorded in 2025, the city noted that the numbers were similar to the cases recorded on the same date in 2025.

Ashley Thompson, manager of urban forestry for the City of Regina, said Dutch elm disease has become increasingly common in Regina’s 180,000 city-owned trees after years of relatively low numbers.

“It is getting worse,” she said. “The last few years, it’s really jumped. We were at kind of 20 a year, and it jumped to 85 in 2024, 87 last year, and this year so far we’re at 26 positives.”

Thompson said several factors are believed to be contributing to the rising number of cases.

“We have theories,” Thompson said. “Climate change is likely a big factor. Milder winters. We did have a couple wetter springs, which helps the fungus grow, and the mild winters help the beetle survive.”

She noted that Regina is seeing cases in all areas of the city, although the highest concentration remains in older, central neighbourhoods, where mature elm trees are most common.

–with files from 980 CJME’s Jacob Bamhour and 650 CKOM