DUTCH ELM DISEASE (DED)

Dutch elm disease (DED) has also been obvious in red and American elm across the region this spring, particularly along roadsides and fence lines.  Several factors may be contributing to this current regional "killing wave", including ingrowth of host trees to a susceptible size and a build up of bark beetle populations.  An increase in prevalence of DED and of vectors increases the risk of infection to trees that may have escaped previous waves of the disease.  Vigilant sanitation to reduce the amount of fungus and bark beetle populations remains the single most effective management strategy to reduce elm losses in communities.  Individual high value trees can be protected with fungicide.  For more information, see the recent brochure "How to Identify and Manage Dutch Elm Disease" at www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_ded/ht_ded.htm