Pruning your Elms is important to help with the overall health and structure of the tree. Since Dutch Elm disease was found again last summer, it is best to prune Elm trees when the trees go dormant during the winter months.
Dutch elm disease (DED) is a fungal pathogen that can kill American elm trees in Colorado within 2–3 years if left untreated. This Elm tree killing disease was first reported in Colorado in 1948, and then reappeared in 1968, killing most of the city's American elms. It seemed to have disappeared again, but in July 2023, Denver's forestry team discovered that Dutch Elm Disease was back, killing several Elm trees on the 17th Avenue Parkway in South Park Hill. Dutch Elm Disease is spread by bark beetles and root grafts, and firewood can also be a major spreader.
Dutch Elm Disease Symptoms include:
Wilting leaves
Leaves turning yellow and brown
Brown or purplish streaks or discoloration along the length of the twig
Early fall colors in early spring or summer
Dutch Elm Disease Prevention: To save American elms in Colorado, it's important to contact an arborist or your city forester for the best advice, and to stop moving elm wood, cut down sick elms, and perform aggressive pruning in the winter months to keep trees healthy. Reach out to Natural Tree Care and Recycling is based in Denver, Colorado for a free consultation on keeping your elm tree healthy and strong to help prevent this disease.
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