Ask A Scientist© Botany Archive

name       Mark
status     other
age        40s

Question - The property we rent has a very old tree on it that a high school
biology teacher identified as an american elm. The tree is massive,
something like ten feet in diameter at the base and 50-60 feet tall.

Over the years, the elm has held its own, occasionally loosing a limb
but in good health generally. This year, the tree started out well, but
has started to loose leaves. There are now about a third of the branches
without leaves and/or limbs with little bark.

We live in north central ohio and have had an unusually wet year. Is the
cause of the tree problems related to the rain? Is there anything I
can do to cure the tree?
------------------------------------------------
perhaps Dutch elm disease? see the following.

http://www.savetheelms.mb.ca/
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:willow.ncfes.umn.edu/ht_ded/ht_ded.htm+
dutch+elm+disease+decline&hl=en

Anthony R. Brach, Ph.D.
=========================================================