Seasonal Information | Town of Coaldale

Tree Maintenance

The Town of Coaldale handles the maintenance of trees in parks, recreation areas and along town roads throughout the year. Residents are encouraged to keep their own trees healthy in order to protect the overall health of trees throughout our community.

Spring is a great time to check your trees to ensure they are getting the proper water, nutrients and air in order to maintain their health. Our Town Arborist encourages residents to mulch the root zone to keep roots moist and cool. Mulching will also help inhibit weed growth.

If you are not seeing new growth on trees, visit a landscaping or nursery and pick up some tree and shrub fertilizer. Trees also need air in order to grow and won’t do well in hard compacted soil. If you’re planning to plant new trees, work in some organic matter such a peat moss or compost from your garden composter. Mix it in with the soil before planting your tree.

Pruning is also an important step to keep your trees healthy and can help prolong its life span if done properly.

To learn more about how to properly prune your tree, click here.

Spruce Sawflies

Spruce trees in Coaldale are susceptible to damage caused by the spruce sawfly. When evaluating the health of a spruce or evergreen tree, you may notice that some of the tips of its branches are bare or being chewed or sucked on by insects. Most of the time, these insects are spruce sawflies. If you notice this happening to your trees, and more than a couple of branches have been affected, please call a tree care service.

White Pine Weevil

Spruce trees in Coaldale are also susceptible to damage caused by the white pine weevil. When evaluating the health of a spruce or evergreen tree, you may notice that some of the tips at the top of the tree have no needles on them and are bent out of shape. This bend is called a "shepherd's crook" and is evidence of the white pine weevil in action. If you notice a "shepherd's crook" on one of your trees, please call a tree care service.

To learn more about the various pests that affect coniferous tree health, click here.

Elm Tree Pruning Ban

From April 1 to September 30 of each year, the Town enforces a ban on elm tree pruning. This ban is enforced to prevent the spread of Alberta Dutch Elm Disease. If you have a recently pruned elm, do not leave branches lying around. Please take them to the landfill. Also, please do not use elm wood as fire wood.

To learn more about Alberta Dutch Elm Disease, click here.

Winter Composting Pickup Schedule

In order to accommodate yard waste, the composting carts will be picked up weekly from March 1 until November 30. Through December to February, the composting carts will be picked up bi-weekly.