Spring cleaning may be on everyone's mind, but the City of Moose Jaw has also released some reminders for the new season.

One reminder is actually a legal issue. From April 1st to August 31st it is illegal in all of Saskatchewan to prune elm trees. This is to help stop the spread of Dutch elm disease.

The reason for this is that one nasty critter plays a critical role in the spread of the disease, and is attracted to the wounds caused by pruning. The elm bark beetle carries a fungus responsible for Dutch elm disease and travels from the infected trees where they lay their eggs, to feed on healthy trees, thus spreading the disease.

City Parks Gardener Sarah Regent provided more information.

"They're a tiny little beetle and on their own they're not that bad for the trees, but they carry Dutch elm disease, and they really really like fresh cut wood. So when you cut a tree in the spring or summer, which is when the beetles are flying everywhere, they can smell that from really far away - up to a kilometre."

If you have any elm wood, it must be disposed of at the City Landfill. A disposal permit can be obtained, free of charge, from the Parks & Recreation Department if you have any elm wood to get rid of. There were 10 cases of Dutch elm disease last year in Moose Jaw.

"Within the city your best course of action would be to call Parks and Recreation and we have 'Elm Wood Disposal' permits. They're really easy to fill out, don't cost anything, and they get you and your elm wood into the landfill for free, and they let the landfill know that you are bringing elm wood. That lets them know to bury that wood".

"Don't move firewood, and make sure you're not storing elm wood. If you're not sure if the tree you have is elm or if the wood you have in the backyard is elm, just give Parks and Rec a call and we can help you identify that. Other things you can do is make sure your elm is healthy, and make sure you prune any dead wood that may be up in the elm tree."

Also, it is time again to band or re-grease your trees as canker worm season is around the corner.

In a month or so, the pests will pop up again, and the grease traps will help stop female canker worm moths from crawling up the trunks of the trees and laying their eggs. Female moths crawl up the trunks of trees in both late fall and early spring.

If you don't know how to, the City provided information on how to band a tree:

  • All elm, Manitoba maple and fruit trees on or adjacent to your property should be banded.
  • Wrap a four to six-inch wide strip of fibreglass insulation around the trunk – about five feet off the ground. That’s out of reach of pets and young children.
  • Cover the insulation with a sheet of plastic wrap or cling wrap. Allow several inches of plastic above and below the insulation. A black plastic garbage bag will do.
  • If you are using plastic wrap or a garbage bag, tape the plastic to the tree with duct tape. If you are using cling wrap then the duct tape is not required. Do not use nails or stakes.
  • Spread a layer of a sticky substance, such as axle grease or petroleum jelly on the plastic.
  • Inspect the sticky material regularly and remove leaves, insects and other debris and reapply sticky material if required.
  • Bands should be removed by mid-May and no later than mid-June. Removing the bands prevents damage or discoloration of the bark.
  • Bands should be reapplied in September for control of fall canker worms.

For any information on these two subjects, you can either go on the City's website or contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (306) 694-4447.