Elm Tree Disease Question - Ask Extension
I have a young elm tree that had a branch turn yellow about a month ago. I pruned that branch off right away but I noticed the brown stain where the ...
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Elm Tree Disease Question #841370
Asked July 18, 2023, 4:57 PM EDT
I have a young elm tree that had a branch turn yellow about a month ago. I pruned that branch off right away but I noticed the brown stain where the branch was. That stain has since grown a little larger and the bark has started to crack and curl around the edges of the brown stain. When I scrape where the stain is, the wood appears dead. I attached a couple of pictures of the initial symptoms. I'm wondering if this is Dutch Elm disease.
Thanks!
Ottawa County Michigan
Expert Response
Hi Dan,
This looks like it could be Dutch elm disease. Use a knife to carefully remove the bark over the infected area to see if the wood underneath is discolored.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/dutch-elm-disease
You may also send a sample to the MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab, although that would mean cutting off the affected portion of the tree. Information to submit a sample, including the submission form can be found here:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/
If the tree is not a sentinel in the landscape it may be better to just remove and dispose of the tree and plant another species in it's place. Be sure to dispose of the tree off site or burn it to be sure the pathogen is removed from the area.
Thank you,
-Julie
This looks like it could be Dutch elm disease. Use a knife to carefully remove the bark over the infected area to see if the wood underneath is discolored.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/dutch-elm-disease
You may also send a sample to the MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab, although that would mean cutting off the affected portion of the tree. Information to submit a sample, including the submission form can be found here:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/
If the tree is not a sentinel in the landscape it may be better to just remove and dispose of the tree and plant another species in it's place. Be sure to dispose of the tree off site or burn it to be sure the pathogen is removed from the area.
Thank you,
-Julie
I attached a current picture. When I cut the bark around the wound, the wood under it looks healthy and cream colored. The wood in the middle was dead as I scraped quite deep into it. The string is there to see if it’s spreading. Given the size of the wound and the dead wood in the middle I will probably pull it out.
Good idea. Best to start a new tree in it's place now, rather than later.
Take care,
-Julie
Take care,
-Julie
