Mild cases of Dutch elm disease may respond to pruning of diseased wood. Control the insect vectors. Systemic fungicides injected into the tree at 1-3 year intervals have proven beneficial in providing protection. An arborist should be consulted to discuss costs and potential benefits. Remove diseased trees.
Severe cases require complete removal of the tree.
Any wood saved for firewood must have the bark removed. Nearby American elms may also be infected through root grafts. Destroying root grafts with chemicals or by mechanical severing can slow the spread of the disease if done before the fungus has moved into healthy elm trees. Replace diseased trees with varieties resistant to Dutch elm disease. The true Chinese elm, Ulmus parviflora , a tree with multi-colored bark is one choice.