Dutch Elm Disease

Cities such as Minneapolis, Edina, Richfield, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park and Bloomington are still home to large inventories of American elm trees. In fact, the Twin Cities boasts one of the largest American elm populations in the country.

For approximately 50 years Dutch Elm disease has devastated unprotected elm populations across the United States, spreading westward from its origins on the East Coast. However, with the development of responsive community programs and effective fungicidal injection treatments, the disease has been brought under reasonable control. But it never really went away.

Dutch elm disease kills elms regardless of their health. It is considered the most costly shade tree disease ever and will remain active in a community as long as there are susceptible trees.

To properly manage Dutch elm disease, four steps are generally required.

1. Identify the disease by the "flagging", or wilting of leaves typically located at the ends of isolated branches in the canopy. The disease moves down the limb and then into the main stem.
2. Remove infected branches from trees (if identified in time) or remove entire trees, immediately, in order to halt further spread of the disease throughout the neighborhood.
3. Isolate infected trees from nearby healthy trees by soil trenching, which prevents spread of the disease via root grafting.
4. Protect valuable remaining elms with the use of an approved Dutch Elm disease fungicide such as Arbotect 20-S.

Read from other sources, including university studies and practitioner testimonials, why Arbotect fungicide is the proven, best choice for protecting trees from Dutch Elm disease:

• North Dakota State University (see 'Chemical Treatment' section)
• University of Minnesota (see 'Elm, American' section)
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (see pgs. 65, 75, 76, 77, 87, 90, 109, 110)
• Elm Loss Comparison of Arbotect and Alamo - Swingle Tree Co.
  Elm Preservation Newsletter - Swingle Tree Co.
  Swingle Tree's Experience
  Swingle of Denver, an Outstanding Treecare Company
• Wachtel Tree's Experience
  Wachtel Tree Science & Service - The Leading Tree Company Serving Milwaukee

What Our Experience Tells Us about Arbotect and Alamo in Protecting Trees from Dutch Elm Disease

Rainbow Treecare is the leading tree care company in the United States that protects elms. Contact us to make a plan to protect your trees.

Return to Stories & Articles main page