Dutch Elm Disease is a fungal infection spread via beetles and roots. The fungus produces pheromones that attract the Elm Bark Beetle. These beetles feed on small twigs and areas where branches meet, called unions.<\/span><\/p>\n Dutch Elm Disease can kill a tree in three to six weeks. This is why treatment and removal are so important.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dutch Elm Disease is visible on the leaves and the bark of elm trees. Leaves may wilt, turn yellow, then brown and shrivel, but stay on the tree. DED symptoms can also be seen under the bark of infected branches. Underneath the bark, the sapwood of diseased trees is stained. If the staining goes all the way to the trunk, the tree is going to die.<\/span><\/p>\n Tree inspectors start looking for Dutch Elm Disease in late May to early June. This sometimes changes depending on the type of season we\u2019re having in Minnesota. Usually, inspectors wait until trees are fully leafed out. This year, we had a late spring, so the inspections are happening right now.<\/span><\/p>\n Inspectors don\u2019t always find Dutch Elm Disease on private property. In Minneapolis, the Park Board Forestry Department sends inspectors out to both public and private property. The city of Saint Paul\u2019s Forestry Department doesn\u2019t venture onto private residences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Generally, a condemned tree must be removed in three weeks. Depending on what city you live in, you have a few options.<\/span><\/p>\n Some homeowners catch DED before it\u2019s taken its toll on their trees. If you identify it yourself, the next step is to remove the tree. DED-infected trees must be removed and completely destroyed. Once the tree is removed, the debris must be destroyed so that surrounding trees don\u2019t get infected.<\/span><\/p>\n If an inspector condemns your elm tree, you likely have three weeks to remove the tree. While it seems unfair, trees on private property are the homeowners responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\n In Minneapolis, the city will collect bids for you and allow you to select a contractor. In some cases, the city will also provide financing options. Depending on the situation, that may include an interest-free payment plan or adding the cost to your property taxes.<\/span><\/p>\n For many homeowners, the three-week deadline can be a source of frustration and stress. But, due to contractor constraints, oftentimes the city allows for deadline extensions.<\/span><\/p>\n If you live outside of the Twin Cities, most suburbs follow the same steps as Minneapolis.<\/span><\/p>\n For those that don\u2019t have the money for the removal, there are other financing options.<\/span><\/p>\n In some cases, the city may grant a mechanics lien on your property so you don\u2019t pay anything until you sell your house. This is a common solution for those on fixed incomes.<\/span><\/p>\n These options are available because of the results of Minneapolis\u2019 response to DED years ago. While Saint Paul allowed homeowners to remove trees at their discretion, Minneapolis took an aggressive approach and was able to save a lot of elm trees. So, now Minneapolis provides funds to remove diseased trees before they infect others.<\/span><\/p>\nDutch Elm Disease Identification<\/span><\/h2>\n
If an inspector condemns your tree\u2026<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vinelandtree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/20230711_115629-225x300.jpg\"\/)
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vinelandtree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/20230711_115629-225x300.jpg\")
When someone marks your elm tree with an orange paint ring, this means that an inspector has condemned it. Generally, if an inspector finds a diseased tree, it\u2019s past the point of treatment.<\/span><\/p>\nIf you happen to identify Dutch Elm Disease on your trees\u2026<\/span><\/h3>\n
Comparing removal bids<\/span><\/h2>\n
What if you don\u2019t have the money for a tree removal service?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Dutch Elm Disease treatment vs removal<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vinelandtree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DED-300x192.png\"\/)
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vinelandtree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DED-300x192.png\")
If the tree has at least ten feet of unstained sapwood, then treatment is an option. Sometimes, if the homeowner wants to save the diseased tree, the city will help with treatment. Treatment consists of a fungicide and pruning. Because of the rapid progression of the disease, treatment must happen immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n