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Now is NOT the time to trim your elm tree! The low-down on Dutch Elm Disease.

8/26/2014

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Dutch Elm Disease is one of the most destructive shade tree diseases in North America. It affects American elms and kills individual branches, then eventually the entire tree over the course of one to several years. It can also spread to nearby trees. At Arbor Aesthetics, we strongly recommend NOT trimming your elm tree between April and October when the trees are leafing. 

How is it contracted?

The DED fungus was first introduced to the U.S. on diseased elm logs from Europe prior to 1930. A tree can contract this fungus by way of:
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Photo by Brian Olson, Oklahoma State University.
  • Elm bark beetles. They are attracted to stressed, dying or dead elm wood to complete the breeding stage of their life cycle. Eggs are laid into the bark, then once hatched, the larvae feed on the inner bark and sapwood. If the DED fungus was present in that tree, the fungus produces sticky spores that stick to the adult beetles as they emerge from the tree. The adult beetles then visit healthy trees and transfer the spores. 
  • Grafted roots. Roots of the same or closely related tree species growing nearby often cross each other in the soil and eventually fuse  to each other. A tree that becomes infected by way of grafting can die rapidly, as the fungus is carried upward in the sapstream.


What are the symptoms?

DED is a vascular disease, meaning it affects the way a tree is able to conduct water. Because water cannot travel down to the roots, leaves will wilt, yellow and drop.  The photo to the right shows the beginning symptoms of DED.

How is it treated and prevented? 

The key to conquering DED is early detection and prompt treatment. If you suspect any of your elm trees are suffering from DED, call Arbor Aesthetics and our certified arborists can discuss possible treatment options.
  • Pruning. Careful pruning of infected branches can prevent the disease from spreading down the tree. One of our certified arborists will be able to tell whether or not pruning alone will be an adequate treatment or if injecting a fungicide is necessary.
  • Injecting fungicide. Certain fungicides are effective in protecting elms from infection via the elm beetle. It is expensive, however, and must be repeated every one to three seasons and may also pose a risk to the health of the tree. 
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Courtesy of Cheryl Kaiser, University of Kentucky.
  • Disrupting root grafts. Large trees within 25-50 feet of each other are likely to have root grafts. Breaking these grafts between injected trees and adjacent healthy trees is an important means of preventing movement of the fungus.  
    • Planting resistance species. There are many hybrid elm crosses and species of elm that have a high tolerance or resistance to DED. Some examples are the Princeton Elm, the American Liberty Elm, the Valley Forge American Elm, and the New Harmony American Elm. 
    • Diversifying. Incorporate a variety of tree species in your landscaping.
    • Considering the spacing. Planting multiple elms too close to each other makes them susceptible to the spread of DED. Alternating an elm with another species can prevent or slow down the infection.
    • Practicing sanitation. To be completely effective in interrupting the spread of the disease by elm bark beetles, stems and branches of DED infected trees must be de-barked, destroyed, or utilized before the bark beetles emerge. During the growing season, removal should be completed within 2 to 3 weeks of detection. During the dormant season, removal should be completed before April, when overwintering beetles may begin to emerge. Wood can be destroyed for chipping, burning or burying. Many communities have regulations on the removal of diseased elms and the storage of elm firewood.


    Sources:
    How to Identify & Manage Dutch Elm Disease, Linda Haugen, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 
    Forest Health Protection: Dutch Elm Disease, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

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Cottonwood Removal in Action! | Elkhorn Tree Removal

8/8/2014

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Check out these great action shots of a cottonwood our crew cut down. Pictured in the tree is Steven, our climber-in-training. He is well on his way to becoming a certified arborist and expert tree climber, and already exhibits great skill, agility, and an eye for aesthetics. 
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Steven has a take-charge attitude and leads by example. He communicates his vision of the job clearly to the crew, and they work together wonderfully to get the job done! Below, Steven and Bailey review the job plan. 
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Can you tell Steven loves his job? Look at that grin! 
Arbor Aesthetics - Cottonwood Tree Removal
Arbor Aesthetics - Cottonwood Tree Removal
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We're bloggin'! + FREE Tree Hugger Shirts

8/1/2014

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We hope you are enjoying our new website! 

This blog is just one of our many efforts to offer our customers that little something extra. You are our most important asset, and we want to keep you informed and educated with the latest tree care tips for the Omaha, Nebraska area. 

Do you have any suggestions for our website? Is there a topic you would like to see featured on our blog? Leave us a comment! Just for helping us improve, we will send you one of our iconic Tree Hugger t-shirts as a token of appreciation! Just make sure to leave your e-mail address!


(Shirts limited to the first 10 comments)
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    Amy Grewe, Certified Arborist & Co-Owner 

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Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service

Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service
6724 Irvington Rd, Omaha, NE 68122
402-408-5600
info@arboraesthetics.com
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