Portland residents, take note: your elm trees are on lockdown. The City of Portland has announced a temporary moratorium on pruning these leafy giants, set to span from April 15 to October 15 — and it's all to save them from an arboreal assassin known as the Dutch Elm Disease (DED).

The pruning ban falling during these months is not a whimsical decision but a strategic one. DED spreads with pomp through beetle carriers who love them a freshly cut elm, which they hone in on with the accuracy of a heat-seeking missile. By putting a stopper on the clip and trim routine for half the year, the city looks to break the cycle and keep the DED agents at bay while giving the elms a fighting chance. According to the Portland government website, "Elm tree pruning moratorium is in effect April 15 to October 15 due to the spread of Dutch Elm Disease (DED)."

The City has rolled out guidelines on what you should know about the moratorium, the dos and don'ts of pruning during this period, and how to properly dispose of elm wood. Knowledge is power, and in this case, it’s the power to prevent the spread of a devastating disease that could strip the city of its elms.

The city's resources on restrictions and disposal can be found on the Portland government website, with the full details for the public's perusal.