March 27, 2025
The Government of Alberta annually declares an elm tree pruning ban between April 1 to September 30 to prevent the spread of Dutch elm disease (DED). The bark beetles which can transmit the disease are active between these dates and can be attracted to the scent of fresh tree cuts, possibly infecting a healthy tree.
Elm trees make up 22 per cent of Edmonton’s Open Space and Boulevard Tree Inventory, making Dutch elm disease a significant threat to the health and resilience of the urban forest. Dutch elm disease was confirmed in Edmonton in August 2024. In total, five cases have been identified in the City, with the most recent case confirmed in October 2024. The City of Edmonton, in coordination with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Government of Alberta, continues to implement an enhanced response plan, including:
- Ongoing assessment and testing of trees showing potential symptoms.
- Proactive pruning and removal of high risk trees to reduce beetle habitat.
- Application of pesticides, in applicable trees, to limit the spread. These products are safe for humans and animals.
What Residents Should Do
Containing the spread of Dutch elm disease takes a community effort. There are three ways residents can help stop the spread of the disease:
1. Do not bring firewood from another jurisdiction.
- Beetles that carry Dutch elm disease are most likely to be brought to Edmonton in firewood, so remember to always “burn it where you buy it.”
2. Remove bark beetle habitat.
- Prune elm trees between October and March to remove dead, dying and diseased branches (video).
- Provincial law and municipal bylaw require elm tree owners to prune dead and dying branches from October through March.
- All elm wood must be disposed of immediately by burning, burying, chipping or disposal at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre.
- Do not combine elm wood with food scraps or other collected waste.
3. If you see signs of Dutch elm disease, call 311. Signs of Dutch elm disease:
- Brown staining in the sapwood that can be seen by removing the bark of infected twigs.
- From the latter half of June to the middle of July, the leaves on one or more branches may wilt, droop and curl. The leaves then turn brown and usually remain on the tree.
- If the tree is infected later in the summer, the leaves will droop, turn yellow and drop prematurely. Late season infections are easily confused with normal seasonal changes.
