Everything You Need To Know About Dutch Elm Disease

Professional Land clearing contractor, servicing southern ontario

Elm trees are deciduous trees that have their origins in Asia and date back about 40 million years. Elms come in over 30 different species, but only eight are native to North America. Elm trees have oval, pointy-ended leaves that have saw-toothed edges. In most cases, the leaf’s veins are also clearly visible. The bark has deep grooves and is rough. Elm trees have an umbrella-like structure with broad, spreading limbs and a few branches that are drooping. Elm trees bloom in the spring, and then their flat, rounded seeds with a small hook drop to the ground later. Elms grow in areas with moist soil, either full sun or partial shade.

Before Dutch Elm disease wiped out most of them, the American elm tree was one of the most widespread trees in the country. A fungus called Dutch Elm Disease develops in the sapwood of the tree. Because it can spread through underground roots and infect nearby trees, this disease is difficult to control. It may take several years for the tree to die in this manner, which involves killing it branch by branch.

Dutch Elm Disease symptoms in your American Elm tree include:

In seasons other than fall, some leaves are wilting, yellowing, or browning. The ends of individual branches will be impacted if the infection starts in the upper crown. This is known as Flagging
The entire tree may experience symptoms more quickly if the infection starts near the roots and lower crown of the tree.
Bark on affected branches and stems will show dark streaks of discolouration. To learn more, cut off a dying branch, cross-section the wood deeply, and look for any brown streaks in the wood.
Although they can happen at any time, symptoms are typically noticed in the early summer.
Elm bark beetles can also move the disease from one tree to another by boring into one and moving it. Elm trees that are sick or dying draw these beetles.

To combat this disease, it is important that your neighbourhood properly finds and removes any sick elm trees. Those with elms should also properly prune them and look into possible insecticides or fungicides to protect your trees. A local arborist can help you identify, heal, remove or protect your tree.