The City of Edmonton is set to lift the ban on elm tree pruning on Wednesday and reminding residents to dispose of the waste properly at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre. A provincial pruning ban on elm trees was in effect from April 1 to Sept. 30 to prevent the spread of Dutch elm disease (DED), according to a media release from the city on Monday. Edmonton officials confirmed DED in the city in August 2024 and implemented a management plan. Officials have removed six trees with confirmed cases of DED so far, while more than 140,000 elm trees had been inspected. DED is a fungal disease often transmitted through bark beetles in infected firewood and yard waste. The city said elm trees represent 22 per cent of Edmonton’s inventory for trees and open space, and DED poses a “significant threat to the health and resilience of the urban forest.” Officials previously addressed the problem with ongoing assessment, proactive pruning, removal of high risk trees and the application of pesticides where applicable. The release added these pesticides are deemed safe for humans and animals as per the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and provincial government’s standards. Provincial and municipal regulations require elm tree owners to prune dead and dying branches between October and March, as removing dead branches kills the habitat of beetles with DED. As collection begins in the city for food scraps and fall-related yard waste, the city says not to combine any elm tree wood with other waste. All elm tree pruning needs to be taken to the Edmonton Waste Management Centre, the release said, and elm wood cannot be stored as per the city and province’s prohibition. Eco stations will not accept elm wood. Diseased elm wood left laying out can increase the chance of beetles spreading into otherwise healthy trees. It also said that beetles carrying DED are most often introduced to Edmonton trees through firewood, meaning residents should burn firewood where they buy it and not bring it back home for storage. Some of the signs of an elm tree with the disease include: Trees infected later in the summer may see leaves droop and turn yellow before dropping prematurely, the release said, and late-season infections can be confused with normal seasonal changes. Residents who see signs of Dutch elm disease on a tree can call 311. More information is available on the city’s website.
