|
Dutch Elm Disease Symptoms
The first evidence of Dutch Elm Disease is wilting or "flagging" in one or more of the branches, usually starting in the outer portion of the crown. Leaves on the infected branches turn dull green to yellow and curl, finally becoming dry, brittle, and brown. The symptoms progress down the limb and eventually throughout the entire tree. Trees infected through root grafts can die very rapidly, while trees infected via the feeding of bark beetles can take several years to die.
Another symptom of the disease is the discoloration of the water conducting vessels. Peeling the bark off infected wood, revealing the staining, easily sees this.
Managing Dutch Elm Disease
Dutch Elm Disease is difficult to control. However, with a properly implemented program, the devastating effects of the disease can be greatly reduced. An effective program includes three parts: prompt detection and removal of diseased elms, disruption of transmission through common roots, and protection of valuable elms through proper injection procedures.
Sanitation
Sanitation is the key to effectively managing Dutch Elm Disease on a community wide basis. It involves identifying diseased elms, and prompt removal of these trees. This may prevent root graft transmission and definitely will reduce the number of disease carrying beetles. A single dead elm can produce tens of thousands of contaminated beetles. Without such a program, a substantial majority of a community's elm population will die within a few years.
|
HOW CAN WE HELP
|
|
|
|
