People can start trimming their elm trees in Grande Prairie again. The provincial ban was lifted on Monday and will come back into effect in March of 2019.
A ban on pruning elm trees is put in place each year between April 1 and September 30 to discourage the spread of elm bark beetles, which can carry Dutch elm disease. The beetles are attracted to fresh pruning cuts and deadwood on elm trees.
The city says that removing dead or damaged branches during the period between October and March discourages infestations and keeps the trees healthy.
Parks Operations will be trimming city-owned elm trees in public spaces across Grande Prairie during the month of October.