The Colorado State Forest Service Office in Canon City has reported to Fremont County that the annual Dutch elm disease survey for 2005 found no American Elm trees displaying symptoms of the disease. District Forester John Grieve said the initial survey was completed during the first week of July and the follow-up survey was completed the week of September 5th. Grieve said they observed numerous Siberian elms particularly in the Penrose area that are dead or contain a large number of dead branches. While Siberian elms do not contract Dutch elm disease, the dead wood can harbor the lesser European elm bark beetle which carries the disease. Grieve said they did not observe any signs of bark beetle activity in the dead Siberian elms. The high mortality rate among Siberian elms in Penrose and elsewhere in Fremont County appears to be drought related.
The highest concentration of American elms in Fremont County is in the Lincoln Park area south of Canon City. The survey crew sampled one tree along Park Avenue that is unhealthy but did not have all of the symptoms of Dutch elm. That tree will continue to be monitored.
The disease rate among American elms has decreased significantly over the years as control efforts were mounted to remove diseased trees. That is the only effective way to fight Dutch elm disease. Experts also recommend that anyone removing American elm trees or trimming branches make sure they dispose of the wood and do not put that wood into wood piles. American elm wood stored in wood piles can still harbor the elm bark beetle that will spread the disease to healthy trees.
The highest concentration of American elms in Fremont County is in the Lincoln Park area south of Canon City. The survey crew sampled one tree along Park Avenue that is unhealthy but did not have all of the symptoms of Dutch elm. That tree will continue to be monitored.
The disease rate among American elms has decreased significantly over the years as control efforts were mounted to remove diseased trees. That is the only effective way to fight Dutch elm disease. Experts also recommend that anyone removing American elm trees or trimming branches make sure they dispose of the wood and do not put that wood into wood piles. American elm wood stored in wood piles can still harbor the elm bark beetle that will spread the disease to healthy trees.