Dutch Elm Disease Technical Report

A Technical Report from The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories

Dutch elm disease is one of the most well-known plant diseases in the world. The close relationship between the fungal pathogens Ophiostoma ulmi and O. novo-ulmi (the more recently introduced and more aggressive species) and the elm bark beetle vectors make for a complex disease cycle. The disease entered into the United States inside logs from Europe and has been spread by the beetle vectors and humans to most places where elms grow. All elms native to North America and all European elm species are susceptible to the disease. Dutch elm disease has certainly wreaked havoc on the native American elm, one of the most durable, versatile, and elegant trees found in the United States.