Next Friday marks the start of the annual ban on pruning elm trees in Saskatchewan. Between April 1st and August 31st it’s illegal to prune elm trees to prevent the spread of Dutch Elm Disease. You can remove an elm tree during the ban period, but it’s important to dispose of all elm wood promptly and properly. As the weather warms, the elm bark beetles that spread the disease become more active, and fresh cuts on trees can attract the insects, making an infection more likely.