Dutch Elm Disease

Dutch elm disease is a fungal disease in elm trees that is spread by the elm bark beetle.  The symptoms are the result of a fungus infecting the vascular system of the tree.  This infection clogs the vascular tissues, preventing water movement to the crown and causing the tree to wilt and die.  The leaves begin by wilting and proceed to yellowing and browning.  The most effective means of preventing the disease is to control the population of the insects that transmit the fungus.  Fungicides are used to halt the fungus once it has infected a tree