chinese elm dieback

I live in w. virginia zone 6 .i have this problem with die back on the secondary branches small ones that get the first buds..what to do tostop this?? ilove elm trees but getting tired of losing trees every year.they cost too much for one year of good trees!!! thank you very much for some answers.. john

Hi miyogi,

By your descripiton, your problem is most likely a fungus. I suspect that you did not apply any dormant spray to the trees during the winter months which eliminates the fungal spores. If you use a fungicide right now you can probably keep the problem from getting worse than it already is. Next winter you should use a fungicide on your trees at least 3 times, once when you put the trees away for winter, once in mid winter and once again just as you see the buds begin to swell in the spring. The spring spraying with fungicide is the most important. Chinese elm are rather strong growers and it should grow out of the problem with out difficulty as long as you spray now.

Thank you ,Randy....what type of spray should i get...thanks john

Any commercial fungicide will do that is for black spot. Easily found at most retail nurserys. For you winter regimen, you should get a "dormant spray" that will consist of some fungicide and horticultural oil.

Your description is much too brief to make a diagnosis from. Before you spend money on a fungicide, you might want to post your question in the Bonsai Pests and Diseases forum and give Dr. Nina a fuller explanation.

Does this happen to ALL of your elms?
Does it happen only over winter?
Where are your elms kept? Indoors or outdoors?
Are there any symptoms in the summer and fall when the trees are in leaf? What?
Is it the branch tips that are affected. The whole tree?
Does it totally kill the trees?
Can you photograph the symptoms?

Thank you randy and jim ...it is mostly the tips of branches.trees are kept out side in a block cold frame with plastic for a top..i will not know if my whole trees are going to die no buds yet but the scrach test is good green under the trunk and the mayger branch now.have to wait and see...thanks john

You've had the same off-and-on, very cold-warm winter we've had, I sure, only the cold probably has been colder. Dieback on branch tips is very common (especially on smaller trees) and rarely is fatal. Consider it a form of involuntary pruning. It's not caused by any critter or disease. I don't think I'd worry. I have some of that every year, though I don't coddle my trees. They're outside on the benches and if they don't like it they should have stayed in Florida.