While only one field in Montana has been reported as damaged by this insect, we want to stay on top of the situation. As time allows we will examine some CRP ground to see if this weevil can be recovered. Benton and Columbus, the disease has been a very recent and visible intruder. Although the disease continues to spread to previously uninfected locations, there may be some good news on the horizon for these beautiful trees in the form of a newly-registered fungicide. Dutch elm disease is a fungal disease caused by Ceratocystis ulmi, which is transmitted by two species of beetles or by root grafting.
Elms are trees that commonly form natural root grafts when planted adjacent to one another.
When these grafts form, the trees become like Siamese twins with water, nutrient, carbohydrate and Dutch elm disease exchange occurring between the root-joined trees. Cut off sections of suspected branches and peel Dutch elm disease the bark. DED causes a brown streaking of the sapwood, whereas healthy bark is cream-colored and has no streaking. If sapwood streaking is present, immediately submit a sample to your county extension agent for diagnostic tests at the MSU Plant Disease Clinic. Dr. Jay Sipes, a plant pathologist at Virginia Tech, is very pleased with the performance of Alamo after monitoring and treating 30 elms in Duxbury, MA for the past five years.