City bans elm tree pruning

The City of Lethbridge has imposed a ban on pruning elm trees effective immediately up until Sept. 30. Pruning elm trees during this time exposes wounds that could provide entry sites for Elm Bark Beetles, a carrier of the DED fungus, which causes Dutch Elm Disease. Symptoms of Dutch Elm Disease may include trees which may not leaf out this spring. In the summer months infected tree will wilt, curl up and turn brown. Leaves on trees infected late in the season may turn yellow and drop prematurely. If you see any elm trees displaying these symptoms call the City of Lethbridge Dutch Elm Disease Hotline at 403-320-3075 or the provincial hotline at 1-877-837ELMS (3567).