The American elm was once dominant on the landscape, an iconic symbol of the nation’s landscape, but has unfortunately succumbed to a fungal disease introduced from Europe in the 1900s. The graceful, large elm trees widely planted in the suburban landscape for its shade, tolerance of poor soil conditions and fast growth. However, in the…
Infection Imposition Bacterial Leaf Scorch (BLS) is a chronic, infectious tree disease caused by the xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. It is transmitted by xylem feeding insects and colonizes the water transmitting tissue. Similar to the effects of Dutch elm disease it will physically clog the xylem, impairing the trees ability to conduct water from roots to crown.…
Disease Diagnosis Dutch elm disease (DED) is one of the most destructive diseases affecting shade trees in the United States today. This disease is caused by the fungus Ophiostoma ulmi, and vectored via either European or native elm bark beetles. It has also been found to spread from plant to plant through root grafts among adjacent trees. Affecting…
