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By LNN Staff

Stop Dutch Elm Disease

How to keep beetles from wrecking your shade: elm tree pruning ban takes effect April 1

Apr 1, 2026 | 2:22 PM

An elm tree pruning ban takes effect throughout the City of Lethbridge today.

City officials say elm bark beetles hatch in weak or sick elms and pick up Dutch Elm Disease (DED) fungus as they grow. The city says the issue arises when they fly to another tree. They take a bite and deliver the fungus. One tiny nibble, and suddenly a perfectly fine tree is fighting for its life.

According to the city, the good news is: the community can stop DED in its tracks.

There is a full elm tree pruning ban from April 1 to Sept. 30, 2026. City officials further note that the province also says no storing, selling or transporting elm wood during this time. Basically: if it’s elm, leave it alone.

The city says elms, however, are pretty good at sending distress signals. Residents are asked to keep an eye on the elms in your neighbourhood. If a tree was infected last year, it might not leaf out at all this spring.

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Officials say the more classic symptoms begin to appear in June: wilting, curling and browning leaves. If the infection begins closer to July, the leaves turn yellow and fall early.

If you spot a struggling elm, contact Lethbridge 311 or call the STOPDED hotline at 1877-837-ELMS (3567).