Dutch Elm Disease Treatment by SavATree Insects & Diseases Dutch elm disease (DED) is a serious fungal infection first identified in the Netherlands, which has since killed millions of elm trees across the United States. It remains a serious threat to these stately trees, which enhance parks, line city streets, and beautify properties like yours. Proactive elm tree care is essential in protecting your trees from this devastating condition. If Dutch elm disease is detected early and is not widespread in the tree, there are several management strategies we can implement to slow or halt the disease. We protect thousands of elms each year. If you have elm trees, your local SavATree branch can provide personalized treatments to protect healthy trees and/or manage infected trees. Signs of Dutch Elm Disease Dutch elm disease is typically spread by elm bark beetles, which carry fungal spores from infected trees to healthy ones. It can also travel through root grafts between infected trees and uninfected trees, which makes the disease particularly challenging to control. Knowing how to identify Dutch elm disease can help protect your trees from this and other elm tree diseases. Common signs of Dutch elm disease include: Wilting: Yellowing and wilting of leaves (commonly known as “flagging”) often starting in the tree’s upper canopy. It is important to note that wilting spreads quickly, but that trees are most receptive to intervention at this point. Vascular Discoloration: Brown streaking in the sapwood when bark is peeled back. Browning: Leaves turning brown and curling but remaining attached to branches. If you see browning, you tree is experiencing late-stage Dutch elm disease. Often, these changes are marked by rapid decline. It is therefore important for all elm tree owners to have an arborist inspect their tree for Dutch elm disease, whether symptoms are present or not. If the disease is present, a plan can be put in place immediately to try to mitigate its effects. What Causes Dutch Elm Disease? Dutch elm disease is caused by the fungi Ophiostoma ulmi and its more aggressive counterpart, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. These fungi are spread by two kinds of elm bark beetles, both of which breed beneath the bark of weakened or dying elms and ultimately carry fungal spores to healthy trees nearby. The disease is particularly devastating because it can also spread underground through the connected root systems of nearby elms. Understanding how Dutch elm disease spreads is crucial to preventing this fungal infection in trees. How Does the Disease Harm Your Elm Trees? Once the fungus enters an elm tree, it spreads through the tree's vascular system, initiating the tree’s production of defensive compounds. These combined actions block your elm’s water-conducting tissues, essentially cutting off the tree’s water supply. Trees soon show signs of severe tree dehydration and, before long, the entire tree succumbs to the disease. This can all happen within a single growing season, but with prompt intervention, it may be possible to slow disease progression and extend the life of some affected trees. How to Identify Dutch Elm Disease Symptoms Early detection is crucial for effective Dutch elm disease management. Recognizing the early signs of Dutch elm disease can help you halt or slow its spread. Watch for the telltale symptoms that typically emerge in late spring: yellowing and wilting leaves (flagging) starting on branches in the upper crown, followed by browning and curling leaves that often stay attached rather than falling. Also keep an eye out for elm bark beetles, the primary carriers of this disease, which can be identified as tiny dark insects burrowing into bark crevices. Recognizing these early warning signs gives your elms the best chance of survival, so remain vigilant and observant when it comes to your landscape. Dutch Elm Disease Treatment and Management Dutch elm disease requires prompt, professional intervention from experienced tree disease specialists who can manage the disease with targeted treatments. Our comprehensive approach combines preventive measures, early-stage infection treatments, and strategies to control elm bark beetles, the primary vectors of the disease. 1. Pruning Infected Branches Early detection allows for targeted pruning of affected branches, which may help manage the disease in its initial stages. In more advanced cases, tree removal may be the best course of action. 2. Preventive Fungicide Applications Preventive fungicide treatments can help protect healthy elm trees from Dutch elm disease. While not a guarantee, early intervention (like pruning out infected branches) can slow disease progression to help infected trees recover. 3. Sanitation and Beetle Control Though less essential than other treatments, managing elm bark beetles is another possible treatment technique. Strategies may include reducing beetle habitat and using targeted treatments when necessary. 4. Root Trenching to Protect Nearby Trees Without intervention, Dutch elm disease can spread underground through naturally grafted roots, moving from diseased trees to healthy ones. Trenching reduces the likelihood of root transmission and is an important preventive measure for your healthy trees. With extensive experience treating elms across diverse regions, we understand the unique challenges of Dutch elm disease and how to address them in your specific landscape. Dutch elm disease is just one of many threats to trees. We provide comprehensive insect management to protect against all types of infestations. How to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease Preventing Dutch elm disease is far more cost and time effective than treating for the disease after infection. SavATree’s Dutch elm disease prevention tips include regular disease monitoring, preventive injections, proper pruning, and management of infected areas that may pose a risk. Taking these steps now can help protect elm trees from disease and preserve their beauty for years to come. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an expert arborist.