This is Vanese Ferguson with Coffee Talk. So today the elm tree pruning ban goes into effect. Those in the know say it is one of the simplest ways to slow down DED. In Saskatoon last season we saw a record high number of DED cases which is very concerning. In my neighbourhood we too have that glorious canopy which beautifully frames our streets. According to the City one in every four trees in Saskatoon is an elm and threatened by DED. And perhaps there is a scientific reason – but I suspect it might also have to do with education and public compliance, as to the date assigned for the pruning ban. My husband and I have resided in the same house in Saskatoon for 22 years and I can say with confidence there has never been opportunity to prune our elms prior to April 1st. Because I would have to wade through at minimum – hip high but usually waste high snow – to get the job done. I suspect those dastardly little beetles are still in a deep winter sleep. Which is not at all the case for instance in southern Saskatchewan where for example at my mothers in Moose Jaw they have seen a multitude of above zero temperatures over the winter, and in the last month – double digit highs. My point? Why we can’t have a pruning ban that is similar to rules around pulling ice shacks off water bodies? Say, everything south of highway 15 – a pruning ban for April 1st and everything north a pruning for April 15th. I’m just randomly choosing dates and locations. In any event, I do try to get those trees trimmed to their utmost in September because I too couldn’t imagine, for instance, driving down Spadina Crescent bare of those extraordinary elms. So don’t store, transport or use elm wood for any purpose – the only place it belongs is in the City Landfill.