Spring Has Sprung - But Not For Elm Trees

The first day of spring is here! The snow is melting, the birds are singing, and tree lovers everywhere are itching to get outside and give their leafy friends some much-needed TLC. But before you grab your pruning shears and start shaping up your elms, we need to talk about something important—Dutch Elm Disease (DED).

The Elm Season is Ending!

Spring might be the perfect time to refresh your yard, but when it comes to elms, pruning season is officially closing! From April 1st to September 30th, elm trees should NOT be pruned. Why? Because that’s when the elm bark beetle is most active—and these little troublemakers are the primary carriers of DED. This fungal disease is 95% lethal to elm trees, and once it takes hold, there's no saving the tree.

Why Is Timing So Important?

Pruning elms during the growing season can attract the beetles that spread DED, increasing the chances of infection. By sticking to pruning during the dormant season (fall and winter), we significantly reduce this risk. While we haven’t seen many cases of Dutch Elm Disease this far north, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Best practices help protect the beautiful elm trees we do have, ensuring they thrive for generations to come.

But Don’t Worry – You Can Still Book Now!

If you’ve got an elm that needs pruning, we won’t forget about you! I’ll still provide quotes and schedule pruning for the fall and winter when it’s safe to do so. Planning ahead ensures your trees get the care they need at the right time.

Spring Tree Care – What You Can Do!

While your elms take a pruning break, there’s plenty to do for your other trees:

• Check for winter damage and signs of disease.

• Remove dead or broken branches from other tree species.

• Book tree health assessments to catch any issues early.

• Plan ahead for tree removal, planting, or maintenance for the year.

Spring is an exciting time for tree care, and while elms are off-limits for pruning, your other trees will love the attention. If you’re unsure about what your trees need, I’m always happy to help!

So let’s welcome spring the right way—by caring for our trees at the right time.