For the last several years, the Dutch Elm disease has been plaguing a lot of the tree population here in Western New York. We have received many calls from people asking about this, and given how much it has spread, we feel it’s necessary to give a run-through of what this disease is.
Tree diseases are one of the biggest causes for tree removal, and while that’s a part of our job to remove them, it’s also our job to preserve those that are getting affected so that you can preserve them for the future.
In this blog, we will break down how to identify and treat the Dutch Elm disease, talk about what trees it affects, and when in the seasons it’s most abundant.
A Recent Rise in Dutch Elm Disease in WNY
A recent report from the Investigative Post over the last several years has shown this rise in cases of Dutch Elm disease. We recommend that everyone read it to get an idea of what has been going on around the various communities this report took data from, namely the Masten and Fillmore districts, Elmwood Village, and other areas in and around the City of Buffalo.
The biggest element of this report about the impact this disease has had on trees dates back to the 1950s and 1960s. Elm trees were all over WNY until the disease came in and wiped out more than 10,000 trees, which meant finding replacements afterwards.
Many of those replacement trees, as the report notes, are now at the end of their lifespans and need to be removed again. Elm trees have a lifespan of 150–200 years, sometimes up to 300 years or more, and the disease took away the ability for these original elm trees to live in those areas for a long time.
A Guide to the Dutch Elm Disease
So now that we have an idea of what this tree disease has done to Buffalo, NY, for the last 60-70 years, let’s explore what it is and where it comes from. We noted already the lifespan of this tree, and they are one of the longest-lasting trees in the WNY and Buffalo area.
It’s a disease caused by two closely related fungi, Ophiostoma ulmi and Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. It was first spotted in Minnesota in the 1960s and has now spread to other states in the US.
How to Identify the Disease
The Dutch Elm disease (pictured below) can be identified by its leaves as they wither and yellow during summer. It kills off the nutrients the tree needs and makes its way into the roots and bark, sometimes giving it a distinct look as if someone carved a drawing to make a piece of art.
Source: https://www.sprucegrove.org/services/pest-control-programs/dutch-elm-disease/ (Photo credit – Joseph OBrien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org)
Dutch Elm can affect all species of native elm trees, including the American elm, red elm, and rock elm. Given how uncommon the Elm tree is now in this part of the state, it’s important that we find this disease whenever it shows up and stop it in its tracks.
When They Arrive and From Who
Because of the nature in which the Dutch Elm is spread through invasive insects like beetles and the two fungi we just named, it most commonly occurs in the late spring or early summer when the weather allows for it to bloom and spread.
The two fungi spread through the vascular system of the trees, blocking the flow of water and nutrients, breaking down those core functions that allow the tree to live.
Remember when we mentioned how the bark can look like a drawing was carved into it? That’s because it’s caused by those very beetles called Elm bark beetles (pictured below).
Source: https://www.housedigest.com/1277714/use-tips-identify-dutch-elm-disease-backyard-trees/ (Photo credit – greenwichlandtrust on Instagram)
They burrow into the tree bark and carry fungal spores on their bodies from infected trees to healthy ones. This is how the two fungi that we named begin their process of hurting the tree even more afterwards. If you see any hint of the bark showing the type of bark carving the beetles create, call someone immediately so that it can be stopped.
How to Treat the Disease
If left untreated, DED can cause your tree to decline and die within a few years. Fortunately, there are ways to treat it and control it. Fungicide injections are a way in which you can help protect healthy trees, but they are not a foolproof way to prevent it from spreading. Don’t use this method unless you consult with a professional arborist who will know what to do with this process. Repeated treatments may be necessary to maintain protection.
Once that is done, the next thing you can do to prevent Dutch Elm Disease is to prune and trim the infected branches to help reduce the beetle habitat. Properly disposing of infected branches and other materials is also crucial to preventing the spread of Dutch Elm Disease.
When none of these methods work in helping to prolong the tree’s life, it will then come time for us to remove the tree entirely.
If you suspect something is off with your tree, the best way to get in contact with us is by reaching out through our contact form or giving us a call and speaking with our team about what your problem is.
Our tree disease experts will find out if you have an invasive tree bug like the Elm bark beetles infecting it. The more specific you are with identifying your problem, the more we can prepare to help! Let’s take a look!