The City of Camrose is reminding residents that the annual ban on pruning elm trees is now in effect from April 1 through September 30, 2026. This provincial restriction is intended to protect local elm trees by preventing the spread of Dutch elm disease, a serious fungal infection that can kill a tree in as little as three weeks.
According to the Alberta government, pruning releases a scent that attracts elm bark beetles, which are carriers of the fungus that causes the disease. These insects can fly more than two kilometres in search of elm trees. By prohibiting pruning during the warmer months when these beetles are active, the city aims to keep the region free of the disease. Alberta and British Columbia remain the last two locations in North America that are currently free of the infection.
In addition to the pruning ban, residents are not permitted to store or transport elm wood unless it is being taken directly to an approved disposal site. If you have elm wood on your property, it must be disposed of immediately by taking it to a landfill, burning it, or burying it to a depth of at least 25 centimetres. Alternatively, the bark can be removed from the wood to safely dispose of it. To monitor for potential threats, the City of Camrose maintains elm bark beetle traps throughout the community.
Residents should watch for signs of Dutch elm disease in late June, such as leaves that are wilting, curling, yellowing, or browning. If you suspect a tree is infected, you should contact the Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease (STOPDED) at 1-877-837-ELMS (3567). Pruning of elm trees will be permitted again starting October 1, 2026, and will continue through March 31, 2027.
