Elm trees problems

[tigertom]

I know that dutch Elm killed a lot of english elms but have noticed near to me in cheshire towards end of last year and this lots of elms of all types are now being infected with something and dieing very quick is this still dutch elm or something else only elms afected.
Thanks
MIKE

[Dorts]

I afaid it's still Duch Elm disease you're seeing. Though Elms still grow in our hedgerows throughout the country. (Map below)

BSBI Maps Scheme: Hectad Map

But as soon as a bark forms on the tree, usually after about 4-5 years, the beetle that carries the disease can find a home. The young tree usually dies within a couple of years, but the 'sucker-growth' remains healthy, until the cycle starts again.

The infection that killed so many trees in the 70's actually came from the USA.

There are still mature Elms in and around Brighton and Hove. It's thought that the beetle that carries the disease never made it over the south downs in that area.

I'm old enough to remember when the country was covered in mature trees, and it's fair to say that they were, at their best, magnificent trees.
Dorts.

[Wild-Woman]

I can barely remember seeing a mature elm. They get to about 15-16 ft suckers and then die. Like Dorts said when the bark appears. White-letter Hairstreak still call these suckers home though and it was a stand of these that brought one of these amazing butterflies to hebe that was growing in my garden. So the elms need good care.
You wouldn't think that a tiny beetle could wreak such havoc to such a grand tree.

[Hawk Roosting]

Originally Posted by Dorts

There are still mature Elms in and around Brighton and Hove. It's thought that the beetle that carries the disease never made it over the south downs in that area.

It is present in that area unfortunately, limited by topography as you say, but also by pro-active management by the local authority which has limited its impact. For the last few years, local arborists (LA and private contractors) have got together voluntarily for 'hygiene' days where any signs of infection on elms are dealt with and the arisings burnt. So far, it seems to have kept the disease in check.

A friend of mine who works for the council's arb team said they were now planting disease resistant clones of Ulmus, but he couldn't remember which ones.

[tigertom]

Thanks for replys, I Was not sure weather duch elm afected all types of elm but it seems it dos then, allthogh there is a small leaved elm about 30 years old near me that did look to affected but now looks as it has recovered, there was another one but this was cut down by houseing asso cos it blocked the light from some ones house! Most of the elms that are being affected are wych elms and some small leaved elms.
My local council dos nothing to stop the spread of duch elm has only cut affected trees down if likely to fall on to a road or footpath have four on edge of a wood across the road from me that have been there dead for over a year now.
Thanks
MIKE

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by tigertom

I know that dutch Elm killed a lot of english elms but have noticed near to me in cheshire towards end of last year and this lots of elms of all types are now being infected with something and dieing very quick is this still dutch elm or something else only elms afected.
Thanks
MIKE

It doesn't appear to affect Wych Elm.

It still does the rounds down here in Surrey. Apparently the trees need to be 11ft tall for the beetles to pass on the fungal infection.
I believe the mature trees are still around Brighton because they cleared a massive swathe of elms from the surrounding area thus preventing the spread of the disease.

Cheers,

Adam

[tigertom]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

It doesn't appear to affect Wych Elm.

It still does the rounds down here in Surrey. Apparently the trees need to be 11ft tall for the beetles to pass on the fungal infection.
I believe the mature trees are still around Brighton because they cleared a massive swathe of elms from the surrounding area thus preventing the spread of the disease.

Cheers,

Adam

It is wych elms that are most affected with some small leaved elms but for some reson not the bigger small leaved elms as they seem to be affected but recover

[poschiavanus]

It's certainly hit Wych Elms that I know, including a set of 75 planted after Dutch Elm disease 'killed' English Elms in one location. Because the rootstock survives there can be a continuous cycle of regrowth and reinfection. The reinfection process is intimately related to which trees are sought out by Elm Bark Beetles.

The Isle of Man has also avoided the worst effects and has an active project for people to spot and report affected trees: Open Elm Project.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Interesting. It hasn't touched the Wych Elms in my area but regularly hits the English Elms.

I know it doesn't happen often but aren't councils/landowners supposed to remove dead elms, root stock and all, and burn them on site? I know few do. At best they fell the trees.

Cheers,

Adam

[operanut1972]

I can't believe we are still blighted by this problem. I foolishly thought this had died out with the English Elms. Wrong again Toone... Getting my coat now!!!!