Tree care companies don’t just maintain the physical growth of your trees. They also help keep your trees safe from disease and minimize damage once disease or damage strikes. If your Elms are showing signs of Dutch Elm Disease, such as wilting leaves or brown rings below the bark, you need to call in an arborist. They can help diagnose the problem and recommend treatments. If you’re worried about the risk of Dutch Elm Disease endangering your Elms, you can:

1. Ask about fungicide treatments.

Once arborists confirm that your Elm trees have developed Dutch Elm Disease, you have very few choices. If the disease is caught early on during a routine inspection, then your tree care company can remove the infected branches and try to stop the spread of the disease. If the fungus has already grown too entrenched, you can have a fungicide applied to the tree. But even the most detail-oriented treatments are only a short-term solution. Most infected trees will need to be removed within five to ten years, and the fungus can spread throughout your yard or to adjacent properties in the meantime.

2. Plant Red Elms instead of American and Rock varieties.

Of the three native species in Canada, Red Elms have shown the greatest resistance to Dutch Elm Disease. While removing and replacing infected Elms with this more fungus-resistant alternative isn’t usually an option, you can plant them when you want new trees on your property. Starting off with a more resistant variety of tree can help keep the fungus at bay even if cases start to develop in your area. Arborists are also creating hybrid varieties of Elms that are designed to fight the disease, so ask your tree management company what the best option is for your yard. Contact the tree service professionals at Schneider Tree Care to keep your trees maintained and safe from disease.