Regina company fined $3,500 for storing elm wood

A company that had already been warned once about storing elm wood has now been fined $3,500.

Golden Acre Tree Services Inc. was charged after a large amount of elm wood was found on a property near Regina in the summer of 2018.

It pleaded guilty to possession of elm wood for use as fuel in provincial court.

It is illegal to store and transport elm wood because it can spread Dutch Elm Disease. Many communities in Saskatchewan — including Regina — have an abundance of elm trees, so the Ministry of Environment does annual inspections of properties around those communities.

Golden Acre Tree Services was issued a warning about possessing elm wood in 2017.

Those who have elm trees on their properties also need to dispose of their elm wood property after pruning or removing a tree. The province says people should contact their local municipality to find their local disposal site.