Foresty Department: Keep eye out for Dutch elm disease

Pay attention to your elm trees.

That's the message from Colorado Springs Forestry Department officials. They want tree owners to be on the lookout for signs of Dutch elm disease which despite the name can decimate American elm trees.

The fungus causes a tree's system to stop circulating water, causing excessive wilting or dropping of leaves at the tree's crown. The browning of leaves usually starts at the tips of branches and works its way down the tree, ultimately killing it. The elm bark beetle spreads the disease, which was first identified in Colorado Springs in the 1970s.

About two years ago, Dutch elm disease claimed the largest elm tree in the state (determined by the Colorado Tree Coalition). The 85-foot tall tree had grown up behind a small house on Prospect Street in Colorado Springs. In recent years, the city has worked to remove infected trees and replace them with disease-resistant hybrid American elm trees.

Forester Becky Lampher said stressed trees are more susceptible to Dutch elm disease, so it is important to make sure trees get enough water and are pruned regularly.

City forestry officials are scouting the city for signs of Dutch elm disease, especially areas that have significant numbers of mature elm trees, Lampher said. If they spot a tree that looks diseased, they'll knock on the door to let the resident know, and will possibly take samples for testing.

Colorado Springs residents who think they have diseased elm trees are encouraged to call the city's Forestry Division at 385-5942 or e-mail cityparks@springsgov.com. Residents can also call if they think a tree on a city right of way is suffering from Dutch elm disease.

It is the property owner's responsibility to remove a tree if it is diagnosed with the disease. For a list of licensed companies, go to the Forestry section of the Colorado Springs city Website here and click on Private Tree Services.

To help stop the spread of Dutch elm disease, the city Forestry Division says:

• Do not prune elm trees between April 1 and Oct. 1.

• Remove dead branches from elm trees in late winter or fall to limit the breeding habitat of the bark beetles.

• Do not store elm wood as firewood unless the bark has been removed.

• If a tree is diagnosed with the disease, have it removed within 10 days and dispose of it properly. City code requires the removal of such trees.