Leaves

Stems/Twigs/Smaller Branches

Larger Branches or Trunk





ELM - Ulmus spp.


AFFECTING LEAVES:

CONDITION
CAUSE
Leaves skeletonized, primarily on leaf underside
Elm leaf beetle (larvae) (Xanthogaleruca luteola)
Holes chewed through leaves
Elm leaf beetle (Xanthogaleruca luteola)
Leaves irregularly chewed
Spiny elm caterpillar (Nymphalis antiopa); Fruittree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), Forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), or Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea)
Masses of dark, spiny caterpillars on leaves
Spiny Elm Caterpillar - Morning Cloak Butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) - No significant damage.
New leaves small, twisted
Eriophyid mites (Eriophyidae) or Phenoxy herbicide injury. See Abiotic Injury
Leaves curled, thickened
Woolly aphids (Eriosoma spp.)
Leaves with white flecks
Leafhoppers (Erythroneura spp.)
Pale green or yellow leaves
Iron chlorosis
Sucking insects on leaves, often with associated honeydew
European elm scale (Gossyparia spurai) or Elm leaf aphid (Myzocallis ulmifolii)
Yellowing, wilting foliage
Scale “flagging" - European elm scale, Dutch elm disease (Ophiostoma ulmi), or Verticillium wilt (Verticillium spp.)

AFFECTING TWIGS AND SMALLER BRANCHES:

CONDITION
CAUSE
Scales
European fruit lecanium (Parthenolecanium corni) or European elm scale (Gossyparia spuria)

AFFECTING LARGER BRANCHES OR TRUNK:

CONDITION
CAUSE
Borers
Elm borer (Saperda tridentata Oliver) or Flatheaded appletree borer (Chrysobothris femorata)
Areas of dead bark With discoloration and small pimple-like fruiting bodies (pycnidia)
Cytospora canker (Valsa spp., Leucostoma spp.)
Open wounds, internal decay, or swollen areas on stem
Stem decay fungi (Collybia velutipes, Phellinus igniarius and various genera)
Fungal fruiting bodies (mushrooms, conks) present
Stem decay fungi (Collybia velutipes, Phellinus igniarius and various genera)
Clear to white oozing or frothy malodorous liquid exiting from wounds
Bacterial wetwood / slime flux


Missoula County Extension Office; Missoula, Montana 59808 - Updated for 2006