Plants, Trees and Turf
The Town of Stony Plain's Parks Crew is responsible for maintaining public green spaces, multi-use sports courts, a skate park, a dog agility park, and Stony Plain's trail system. Over the winter months, the crew ensures the trails are clear of ice and snow and maintains four outdoor rinks and two ice skating trails.
Horticulture plans and maintains Stony Plain's tree inventory, public land shrubs, and flower beds, as well as planters and hanging baskets. Horticulture coordinates the barrel planter sponsorship program and is responsible for pest control, such as beavers, in the town.
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Black Knot | ||||||||||||||||||
Black Knot DiseaseBlack knot (Apiosporina morbosa) is a fungal disease that causes greenish brown to black swellings in the stems of cherry trees (Prunus spp.). Its spores are released following periods of warm, wet weather and are spread by splashing water, wind, birds, and insects. The Problem Black knot deforms branches and reduces their growth. Heavily infected trees often become stunted and may eventually die.
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Dutch Elm Disease |
The Town of Stony Plain is one of 112 municipalities that participates in the STOPDED program. What is Dutch Elm Disease (DED)DED is a costly, deadly disease that affects all species of elm trees in Alberta. It is caused by a fungus that clogs the elm tree's water conducting system, causing the tree to die. The fungus is primarily spread from one elm tree to another by 3 beetle species. The beetles are attracted to weak and dying trees, which serve as breeding sites. Once the beetles have pupated and turned into adults, they fly to healthy elms to feed, transporting the fungus on their bodies from one tree to the next.Best practices
‘Elm tree’ means any tree or part of a tree of the Ulmus genus and its cultivars, including the American, Siberian and Japanese elm. Follow these best practices to help keep elm trees healthy and less susceptible to DED:
Elm pruningPruning elms can only be carried out commencing October 1 to March 31 the following year. Elm pruning banPruning ban period means the period commencing on April 1 and ending on September 30 of the same year. Elm bark beetles (EBB), the vectors of DED, are active between these dates and can be attracted to the scent of fresh tree cuts, possibly infecting a healthy tree. |
Weed Control |
Weeds, or invasive plants, are non-native plants that adapt quickly and aggressively to the Alberta landscape causing lasting damage. The negative effects of weeds include:
We all have a role to play in response to weeds. Here's how: Prevention and control for gardeners and landscapers
Learn more about Alberta native plant species:
Signs will be posted when weed spraying occurs. |
To report weed complaints and damaged trees, you may submit a request through Report a Problem - Stony Plain.