Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship is reminding Manitobans to not prune elm trees between April 1 and July 31 to help reduce the spread of Dutch elm disease.
In Manitoba, native elm bark beetles are responsible for spreading the fungus that causes Dutch elm disease. These beetles feed on healthy elms and breed under the bark of dead and dying elms and elm firewood.
Fresh pruning wounds attract elm bark beetles to healthy trees, making the tree vulnerable to infection.
Regular pruning is important for maintaining trees and elms can be pruned after the ban ends. Pruning removes dead and dying branches, reduces the risk of entry of insects and diseases, and can improve tree form.
This work requires special knowledge and skill, and should always be done by a professional tree care worker or arborist. Arborists must have a Manitoba arborist’s licence in order to prune trees for remuneration. Manitobans are reminded to ask to see this licence when hiring an arborist.
It is illegal to store elm firewood with bark on it in Manitoba and a permit is needed to store or transport elm wood.
The department says elm firewood should never be stored or transported except to a designated disposal site. Manitobans can call their local municipal office for more information on where to take elm wood.
Permits or more information about Dutch elm disease management in Manitoba are available at Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship’s Tree Line at 1-800-214-6497 (toll-free) or at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/forestry/ded-urban/.
