Dutch Elm Disease
Ophiostoma ulmi
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameDutch Elm Disease
DescriptionDutch elm disease causes the outer branches of elm trees to yellow and wilt (flagging). Identify brown streaking in the sapwood to stop this fast-moving killer.
TypeFungus
FamilyOphiostomataceae
GenusOphiostoma
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumAscomycota
SubphylumPezizomycotina
ClassSordariomycetes
OrderOphiostomatales
Features
- A devastating fungal disease of elm trees (Ophiostoma ulmi / O. novo-ulmi) that has decimated elm populations in Europe and North America
- The first sign is usually 'flagging'—yellowing and wilting of leaves on one or more branches in the outer upper crown
- Flagged leaves eventually turn brown and shrivel, but often remain attached to the branch for several weeks
- If the bark is peeled back from an infected branch, a characteristic brown-to-black streaking or discoloration is visible in the outer sapwood
- The fungus invades the tree's water-conducting vessels (xylem), clogging them and causing the tree to essentially die of thirst
- Spread primarily by elm bark beetles, which carry the fungal spores from infected to healthy trees as they feed and tunnel under the bark
- The disease can also spread between adjacent trees through natural root grafts (joined roots) in the soil
- Once infected, a susceptible elm tree can die within a few months or a couple of years depending on the location of the infection
- Manage by prompt removal (sanitation) of dead or dying elm wood and the immediate destruction of infected logs by burning or burying
- Protect high-value trees with preventative systemic fungicide injections or by planting resistant hybrids like 'Valley Forge' or 'Princeton'
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificOphiostoma ulmi
English (Alternate)DED
Hindiडच एल्म रोग (Dutch elm disease)
Tamilடச் எல்ம் நோய் (Dutch elm noy)
Teluguడచ్ ఎల్మ్ తెగులు (Dutch elm tegulu)
Malayalamഡച്ച് എൽമ് രോഗം (Ḍacc elṃ rōgaṃ)
Kannadaಡಚ್ ಎಲಮ್ ರೋಗ (Ḍac elam rōga)
Sanskritएल्म-वृक्ष-ग्लानि (Elma-vṛkṣa-glāni)
Bengaliডাচ এল্ম রোগ (Dutch elm rog)
Frenchmaladie hollandaise de l'orme
Russianголландская болезнь вяза (gollandskaya bolezn' vyaza)
Spanishgrafiosis del olmo
GermanUlmensterben
