Dutch Elm Disease (DED) is a devastating vascular wilt fungus that has decimated native elm populations for decades. Protecting mature elms requires a proactive approach that combines diagnosis, prevention, and timely treatment when appropriate. Our ISA Certified Arborists help evaluate Dutch Elm Disease risk and recommend treatment options to support long-term tree health.

ISA Certified Arborists. Proactive DED Protection.

Dutch Elm Disease Treatments

At A Plus Tree, we deliver expert Dutch Elm Disease treatments for HOAs, commercial properties, and municipalities. We focus on a multi-layered defense strategy that incorporates specialized fungicide injections and aggressive sanitation to improve the chances of protecting healthy or early-stage elm trees under disease pressure.

When to Treat

You have a healthy American Elm that you want to protect preventatively.

“Flagging” symptoms appear, such as localized yellowing or wilting in the upper canopy.

Nearby elm trees have been confirmed with DED, increasing the risk of spread via beetles or root grafts.

Dark brown or purplish streaks are visible in the sapwood beneath the bark.

What Happens Next

An urban forest specialist can provide a free assessment and recommend a management plan based on the health and location of your trees.

EARLY DETECTION IS CRITICAL. ONCE DED TAKES HOLD, EVERY DAY MATTERS.

  • What’s Included in Our DED Services

    Our comprehensive tree disease treatment for Dutch Elm includes macro-infusions of specialized fungicide injections, including products such as Arbotect when appropriate. Treatments may provide up to three years of protection, or shorter intervals under high disease pressure, depending on product, tree condition, and site factors. Every service includes a technical inspection to verify the tree’s suitability for infusion.

  • Our Professional Process

    We perform treatments using a trunk injection method that delivers fungicide directly into the tree’s vascular system. For trees already showing early symptoms, we may combine injections with eradicative pruning, removing infected limbs below visible symptoms according to professional arboricultural guidance, when pruning is still a viable option.

  • DED Treatment Cost Factors

    Pricing for Dutch Elm Disease treatment is determined by the tree’s diameter (DBH) and the volume of fungicide required for effective protection. Proactive preventive care can be more cost-effective than removing and replacing a mature elm, especially when the tree is still a good treatment candidate.

  • The Best Time to Schedule

    Preventive fungicide injections are often timed for late spring or summer, once the tree has reached full leaf expansion and is actively moving water. If symptoms are already present, immediate assessment is necessary, as DED can cause rapid decline, sometimes within a single growing season.

  • Why Choose A Plus Tree

    We pair technical arboricultural knowledge  with ArborPlus, our tech platform that tracks your tree’s history and treatment cycles on a clear 3-year schedule. Our crews follow professional standards to ensure every treatment is performed with technical precision.

TALK TO A DED SPECIALIST TODAY

Managing the Spread: Beetles and Root Grafts

Dutch Elm Disease spreads in two primary ways, both of which we address in our management plans:

  • Elm Bark Beetles: These insects carry fungal spores from infected wood to healthy trees while feeding. Sanitation, the prompt removal of dead elm wood, is vital to reduce beetle breeding grounds. 
  • Root Grafts: When elms grow within 25–50 feet of each other, their roots often graft together, allowing the fungus to move directly between trees. We may recommend severing these grafts to isolate and protect healthy specimens.

Trusted by Your Neighbors

Feedback from our clients

The A plus tree team is awesome!

We had a big tree fall on Super Bowl Sunday late in the evening during the game. Rachelle responded promptly to the urgent call and had a team out first thing the next morning to deal with the situation.

Appreciate the whole team!

Trish Blair

We started using A-Plus recently and are very happy with their results. We have an HOA with many trees we care for so it’s imperative we have a good team. Andre and the crew were fabulous, responsive and friendly to work with. We just had a trash truck take out a tree today, A-Plus responded and got here within 4 hours to fell the tree as it was unsafe. Great job. We look forward to our continued relationship.

Michele D.

I had a tree fall in my driveway and block me from getting out. I had an important appointment to get to. A Plus Tree Service was there in an astoundingly short amount of time. They were courteous, calm, and very professional. The best part: I was out of my driveway in 13 minutes. I made it to my appointment. I highly recommend them; they have outstanding service, and work quickly.

Paula S.

We had a 50 ft dead pine tree that was at risk of falling onto our house.. We called these guys in and they had the entire tree with the stump removed in 2 hours. What other company can you find where almost every one of their employees are certified arborists? They’re professional, knowledgeable, straight forward, and fast.

Phil H.

Totally agree with the other reviews. Had a large tree at my rental that had split in half and fallen, leaning into the neighbors yard! From the moment I called, the team at A+ Tree was ultra-responsive, and made me feel like they appreciated the urgency I had at getting this taken care of. Was able to set a removal appointment very quickly, and the workers that showed up were just as quality as the rest of my experience. They were friendly, careful, and did an amazing job (in a reasonable amount of time!). I am SO glad I was referred to you guys–and will definitely be passing your name along to anyone in need! Thank you A+ Tree!!! Would use again..A+

Elle M.

Certifications

ISA Certified Arborists and CTSP-certified safety leadership available on major projects.

TCIA Accredited

TCIA-accredited arborists, fully licensed and insured.

Dutch Elm Disease FAQs

It is caused by a fungus that clogs the tree’s water-conducting vessels, leading to wilt and death.

Sometimes, if symptoms are caught early and the infection has not advanced too far. An arborist can assess whether pruning, fungicide treatment, or removal is the safest option.

Fungicide injections may provide 2 to 3 years of protection depending on product, disease pressure, tree condition, and timing.

This is called “flagging.” It occurs when the tree attempts to block the fungus, which unfortunately also blocks its own water transport.

There is no complete cure, but preventive treatment, sanitation, and timely pruning can help protect healthy or early-stage trees.

If a tree is heavily infected, removal may be recommended to reduce risk and limit spread to nearby elms.

Browse Our Tree & Health Care Resources

Tree 101 Guide
Tree Health Care (THC)
Our Tech: ArborPlus

Ready to save your elm trees?