Saskatchewan residents will be able to safely prune elm trees starting Sept. 1. The date marks the end of the provincial pruning ban put in place annually to help curb the spread of Dutch elm disease (DED). The fungus that causes DED is spread by elm bark beetles, which are most active during the ban period (April to August). Freshly pruned elm trees have been known to attract elm bark beetles, which can cause the disease to spready to healthy trees. “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,” read a Monday announcement from the province. “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 province also stressed the importance of quickly disposing of elm wood at areas approved by local authorities. Storing, using or transporting elm firewood (except for disposal) is illegal, as it can sometimes carry the beetles that spread DED. As of July 15, the City of Regina confirmed 26 cases of DED and removed the infected trees. The number of confirmed cases has steadily risen in recent years — jumping from 24 cases in 2023 to 84 in 2024 followed by 87 in 2025. Cases have dramatically risen in Saskatoon as well in the years following the Bridge City’s first confirmed case in 2015. In 2023 Saskatoon reported just four cases, followed by 11 in 2024 and a record 41 in 2025.
