Elm Tree Leaves

The Community Standards Bylaw regulates the removal, pruning, transportation, storage, and sale of elm trees in the city to ensure that the trees remain free of insects and disease.

Protecting Elm Trees

According to the Community Standards Bylaw:

  • Any elm tree that is removed must be treated in a manner that is acceptable to an inspector or the stump must be removed to a depth of at least 10 centimetres below the surface of the soil 
  • Elm pruning is only allowed between October 1 and March 31
  • Elm trees on boulevards may not be removed, damaged, pruned, cut, repaired or have any other work performed on them without the consent of the City
  • You may not transport, store or sell an elm tree or elm firewood without permission from the City

The City also asks that you report suspected cases of Dutch elm disease by calling 311.

All Elm Wood Must Be Disposed of Immediately

Elm wood is a main vector for spreading Dutch elm disease and the beetles that transport the fungus. Residents must dispose of elm wood immediately through one of three options:

  • Burn it immediately
  • Take it to the Edmonton Waste Management Centre at 250 Aurum Road for free, safe disposal. Fees apply for commercial disposal. When you arrive, tell the scale operator that you have elm wood so it can be handled appropriately.

Do not combine elm wood with food scraps or other collected waste. Do not stack, pile or save elm wood. Do not take elm wood to an Eco Station.

Reporting Your Concerns

If you have a concern about the removal, pruning, transportation, storage or sale of elm trees:

  • Discuss the concern with the property owner
  • Record the address of the violation and a description of the problem if you can't resolve it directly with the property owner
  • Call 311
  • Provide your name, address, phone number, and the details of your concern in case your testimony is required in court

Responding To Your Complaint

After you call 311, the City takes these steps to help with your issue:

  1. A file is created specifying your concerns
  2. A Municipal Enforcement Officer (MEO) opens an investigation
  3. The officer investigates your complaint within 4 business days
  4. The MEO may issue a warning notice with directions to remedy the problem within a specified time frame or issue a bylaw ticket with a fine ranging from $250 to 10,000 depending on the circumstances
  5. The officer may issue an order, which allows the City to fix the problem and bill the property owner for the cost
  6. The City may contact you to appear as a witness, if the matter goes to court

Protecting Your Privacy

The information you provide will be used to process your complaint, but your name and address will not be made available to anyone else. For more information on how the City protects your privacy visit Freedom of Information and Privacy.

Elm Trimming Tutorial

What is Dutch elm disease?
Dutch elm disease is a deadly disease that can affect any elm tree. Since its introduction from Europe about 1930, it has destroyed millions of American elm trees across North America. Dutch elm disease is caused by the fungus Ophiostoma ulmi that is potentially carried by the elm bark beetle and is destructive or dangerous to elm trees.
What is an infraction?

It is a violation to store elm firewood or to transport any part of an elm unless it is to a disposal site, prune an infected elm tree, or to prune between April 1 and September 30 in any year.

When can I trim an elm tree?

You can trim a healthy elm tree between October 1 and March 31. If trimming is required at other times in the year, you can obtain an elm pruning permit. This can be obtained from Pest Management.

Please be aware that any person who removes an elm tree from their property must also remove the stump to a minimum of 10 centimetres below the soil line.