Dutch Elm Diseases

Dutch elm diseases include of fungal infection caused by kind of Ceratocystis ulmi fungi that can kill elm trees in just few weeks. It was introduced into North America on elm logs early in this century and was quickly spread by the elm bark beetle.

Dutch elm diseases has radically changes the planted landscape of many cities and towns, as elms lined many streets at the turn of the century; it has generally spread throughout the natural range of elms as well. The diseases is kept in check by burning infected wood and using insecticides to kill the bark beetles but fungicides are very expensive and not always successful.