Dutch elm disease is one of the most devastating diseases affecting American elm trees. Homeowners who spot Dutch elm disease symptoms early give their trees the best chance at recovery and survival. An inspection by experts providing tree removal in Tampa can confirm whether you’re seeing signs of this disease.
Before calling in the experts, learn about some of the early symptoms of a Dutch elm infection.
Identifying Dutch Elm Disease Symptoms
Recognizing Dutch elm disease in trees starts with identifying specific symptoms. If the disease begins to affect the tree in late summer or early autumn, homeowners might mistake these signs for normal autumn dormancy. However, the disease typically hits trees at the beginning of summer, making it easier to recognize them.
Infected elms may not exhibit all of these symptoms, but you may notice more than one at the same time.
The Tree’s Leaves Become Discolored
Nearly all elms showing Dutch elm disease symptoms will have discolored leaves. The leaves will turn yellow before eventually becoming brown and will also wilt or curl.
Many health problems with the tree can cause the leaves to start turning yellow, meaning this sign alone doesn’t automatically mean your tree has Dutch elm disease. Some of the other reasons leaves turn yellow include:
- Lack of nutrients
- Too little water
- Too much water
- Compacted soil
- Insect infestations
- Environmental stress
Leaves Fall From the Tree Before Autumn
Most elm trees lose their leaves in autumn, usually between September and November. A few species, such as cedar elms, may randomly drop leaves throughout the year.
If the leaves yellow and begin to fall off the tree before September, the elm likely has a serious health problem, and you should call an arborist for an inspection for Dutch elm disease or other potential issues.
Branches Die Back From the Tip and Curl Downward
One of the common Dutch elm disease symptoms is when some of the small branches on the elm start curling downward. The curled branch may resemble a shepherd’s crook. As tissues beneath the bark weaken and die, the branch loses its natural straight shape, causing curling.
Wood Under the Bark Has Brown Streaks
One of the key Dutch elm disease symptoms is brown and discolored streaks in the wood underneath the bark. The cambium layer between the bark and wood in a healthy elm tree’s branch usually has a green color. When the disease is present, the sapwood just beneath the cambium layer shows brown streaks and other discolorations.
You might be able to see the discoloration by peeling back the bark or looking at a cross-section of a cut branch.
You Might See a Beetle Infestation
Because beetles carry the fungus from tree to tree, seeing an active beetle infestation could be a sign that the tree has Dutch elm disease. Elm bark beetles are usually around 1/8-inch in length. They have a shiny body that’s usually reddish-brown or black.
What Happens to a Tree When Dutch Elm Disease Infects It
Dutch elm disease is a fungal disease that can affect any species of elm tree. However, it frequently affects American elm and slippery elm. Species like the Siberian elm and Japanese elm are more resistant to the disease. It typically does not damage other tree species.
Beetles spread the fungus by transporting the spores among trees. If the tree has an open wound or bark damage, the fungus has an entry point into the tree’s wood.
As the fungus grows, the elm tries to prevent it from spreading further by cutting off the flow through its vascular system. Blocking the vessels prevents the tree from receiving the water and nutrients it needs to thrive, though, causing the leaves to fade and die. Eventually, the elm dies due to a lack of water and nutrients reaching its leaves.
Why Early Disease Identification Is Important
If left untreated or if the Dutch elm disease symptoms aren’t spotted early enough, you’ll end up with a dead tree. Dutch elm disease has already killed millions of trees throughout North America. The disease is prevalent throughout the United States and most of Canada.
Professionals only have a chance to eliminate the disease when immediate treatment begins. However, even early intervention may not be enough to save it, and there are no treatments that are guaranteed to work.
Diagnosing Dutch elm tree disease isn’t always easy for homeowners because not all trees show the same symptoms. Asking a professional for help to verify what you’re seeing is the best option.
Potential Treatment Options for Dutch Elm Disease
If you see Dutch elm disease symptoms on less than 25% of the crown, treatment may be effective. If less than 10% of the crown has symptoms, the chances of saving the tree increase.
Professionals will begin by aggressively pruning the diseased areas of the tree. They’ll look for the brown streaks underneath the bark and then cut several feet back to be confident that they catch all of the fungus.
Depending on the level of progression, arborists might consider treating the tree with a fungicide. Some professionals recommend preemptively treating elms with a fungicide when Dutch elm disease is spreading in the area.
If no one caught the disease early enough, arborists might recommend removing the elm and burning or chipping all the wood. Destroying the wood prevents the Dutch elm disease from spreading and helps eliminate the infected material.
Tree Care Inc. Will Inspect Your Elm Trees for Signs of Disease and Recommend Steps To Take
If you aren’t confident that you’re spotting Dutch elm disease symptoms in a tree on your property, request help from the experts at Tree Care Inc. They know how to spot Dutch elm disease and can recommend treatment options. If the diseased tree is beyond saving, they can effectively remove the tree for you.To receive a free cost estimate for any of our tree care services, contact Tree Care Inc. in Tampa at 813-419-0638.
