Annual elm pruning ban in effect starting Wednesday

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 28, 2026.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

Hatters have until Mar. 31 to complete any elm pruning before the city’s annual ban begins Apr. 1 to protect against the spread of Dutch Elm Disease.

Dutch Elm Disease is a fatal fungus that can affect all elm species in the province.

The fungus clogs the tree’s water conducting system and will cause it to die off, usually within one or two seasons.

The ban restricts pruning during the active season of elm bark beetles, from Apr. 1 to Sept. 30, which are known to carry the disease.

The beetles are attracted to fresh wounds or cuts on the elm trees and an effective preventive measure is a lack of pruning to reduce any wounds they can access.

Symptoms of the effects include wilting leaves in the summer, branch dieback and brown streaks under the bark.

Residents who spot symptomatic trees are encouraged to call the city’s parks and recreation office at 403-259-8388 and select “Option 6.”

According to the province there are more than 600,000 elms growing in Alberta, valued at over $2 billion.

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