City crews were hard at work last week pruning elm trees in Jubilee Park as part of their annual winter pruning program, and the city is encouraging residents to prune their own trees and shrubs before the weather warms up.
The City of Grande Prairie’s year-round tree pruning and maintenance program focuses on green ash trees in the spring and summer, while prioritizing elm trees in the fall and winter.
Elm pruning during this time aligns with the Province of Alberta’s Elm Pruning Ban, which is in place across the province from April 1st to September 30th. The city says the work is essential in the winter, taking advantage of the fact that elm bark beetles sit dormant in the cold months, ultimately reducing the risk of Dutch Elm Disease on Grande Prairie’s urban forests.
The city adds that winter is also “the perfect time” for residents to prune their own trees and shrubs.
“It reduces stress on plants, prevents pests and diseases, and encourages healthier growth come spring,” the city says.
Residents who choose to prune are advised only to use clean, sharp tools, remove dead or diseased branches, and avoid over-pruning- which the city says is no more than 30 per cent of a tree or shrub per year.
Crews operate throughout the year, addressing urgent needs as they come up, and operating on a rotating schedule through neighbourhoods; however, residents can report a tree that needs pruning by contacting AccessGP at 3-1-1.
