Who Should I Contact if I See Dutch Elm Disease?

If you suspect Dutch Elm Disease in an elm tree, prompt reporting to the appropriate authorities is crucial for disease management and preventing spread to nearby trees. Here's who to contact based on your situation.

Primary Contacts

Local Government

Municipal Forestry Departments

  • City foresters: Most cities have forestry staff who handle tree diseases
  • Parks departments: Often responsible for trees in public areas
  • Public works: May handle street tree issues in smaller communities
  • First contact: Usually the best starting point for urban trees

County Extension Offices

  • Extension agents: University extension staff with plant disease expertise
  • Diagnostic services: Often provide disease identification services
  • Educational resources: Can provide information on local management programs
  • Rural areas: Particularly important for trees outside city limits

State Agencies

State Forestry Departments

  • Forest health specialists: Professional staff trained in tree diseases
  • Regulatory authority: Enforce quarantine and management regulations
  • Statewide programs: Coordinate Dutch Elm Disease management efforts
  • Technical expertise: Advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities

State Universities

  • Plant pathology departments: Research faculty with disease expertise
  • Diagnostic laboratories: Professional disease identification services
  • Cooperative extension: Educational and technical assistance programs

Federal Agencies

USDA APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)

  • Plant Protection and Quarantine: Regulate interstate disease spread
  • Serious outbreaks: Contact for significant or unusual cases
  • Quarantine enforcement: Report violations of movement restrictions
  • Research coordination: Connect with national research programs

Professional Services

Certified Arborists

ISA Certified Arborists

  • Professional diagnosis: Trained in tree disease identification
  • Treatment services: Can provide fungicide injections and other treatments
  • Management advice: Recommendations for protecting other trees
  • Find certified arborists: Use ISA website directory

Tree Care Companies

  • Local expertise: Familiar with regional disease patterns
  • Immediate response: Often available for urgent situations
  • Integrated services: Diagnosis, treatment, and removal if needed
  • Insurance: Licensed and insured for tree work

Consulting Services

Plant Pathologists

  • Specialized expertise: Advanced training in plant diseases
  • Laboratory services: Professional diagnostic testing
  • Research connections: Access to latest management strategies
  • Complex cases: Best for unusual or difficult diagnoses

Specific Situations

Urban/Suburban Areas

Street Trees

  1. Contact city forestry department first
  2. Report location and symptoms clearly
  3. Request professional inspection
  4. Follow up on recommended actions

Private Property Trees

  1. Contact certified arborist for diagnosis
  2. Notify city if disease confirmed
  3. Consider treatment options
  4. Monitor nearby trees for spread

Rural Areas

Farm or Rural Property

  1. Contact county extension office
  2. Report to state forestry department
  3. Consider professional arborist consultation
  4. Implement preventive measures

Public Lands

Parks and Recreation Areas

  1. Notify park management immediately
  2. Contact state forestry if significant outbreak
  3. Document location and extent
  4. Restrict access if necessary for safety

Information to Provide

When Calling or Reporting

Essential Information

  • Exact location: Address or GPS coordinates
  • Tree description: Size, species (if known), condition
  • Symptoms observed: Specific signs you've noticed
  • Timeline: When symptoms first appeared
  • Surrounding trees: Other elms in the area

Photos if Possible

  • Overall tree: Full tree showing affected areas
  • Close-up symptoms: Wilting leaves, branch dieback
  • Bark details: Any beetle holes or staining
  • Multiple angles: Various views of affected areas

Symptom Description

Key Details to Mention

  • Wilting pattern: Which branches are affected
  • Leaf color changes: Yellowing, browning progression
  • Branch condition: Dead or dying branches
  • Bark abnormalities: Holes, staining, or unusual appearance
  • Rapid changes: How quickly symptoms developed

Emergency Situations

Immediate Hazards

Dangerous Trees

  • Contact local emergency services if tree threatens property or safety
  • Municipal emergency hotlines for immediate hazards
  • Professional tree services for urgent removal needs

Large Outbreaks

  • State forestry departments for extensive infections
  • County emergency management for community-wide problems
  • Public health departments if public safety is threatened

Follow-Up Actions

After Reporting

Confirmation Process

  • Professional inspection: Wait for expert evaluation
  • Laboratory testing: May require samples for confirmation
  • Treatment recommendations: Follow professional advice
  • Monitoring schedule: Regular checks of treated or nearby trees

Documentation

  • Keep records: Save all communications and reports
  • Photo documentation: Continue photographing changes
  • Treatment records: Document any treatments applied
  • Cost tracking: Record expenses for possible assistance programs

Regional Variations

Contact Information Sources

State-Specific Resources

  • State forestry websites: Often have disease reporting forms
  • University extension sites: Local contact information
  • Municipal websites: City-specific reporting procedures
  • Professional directories: Local arborist and tree service listings

Regional Programs

  • Some areas have specific Dutch Elm Disease hotlines
  • Regional consortiums may coordinate management efforts
  • State-funded programs may provide assistance or services

Response Expectations

Timeline

Initial Response: Most agencies respond within 1-5 business days Inspection Schedule: Professional evaluation typically within 1-2 weeks Test Results: Laboratory confirmation may take 1-4 weeks Treatment Options: Recommendations provided after confirmation

Services Provided

Public Trees: Municipalities typically handle diagnosis and treatment Private Trees: Property owners usually responsible for costs Assistance Programs: Some areas offer cost-sharing or technical assistance

Prevention and Education

Community Programs

Neighborhood Reporting: Organize community disease monitoring Educational Workshops: Attend local tree care seminars Prevention Planning: Coordinate neighborhood prevention strategies

Ongoing Monitoring

Regular Inspections: Continue watching for new symptoms Early Detection: Report new cases promptly Information Sharing: Keep neighbors informed about disease status

Online Resources

Reporting Systems

Many states have online reporting forms University extension websites often have diagnostic services Some areas have mobile apps for tree problem reporting

Information Sources

State forestry websites: Disease identification guides Extension publications: Management recommendations Professional organizations: Finding qualified arborists

Bottom Line

Quick reporting to appropriate authorities is essential when Dutch Elm Disease is suspected. Start with local forestry departments or certified arborists, provide detailed information about symptoms and location, and follow through on recommended actions. Early detection and professional management significantly improve outcomes for both individual trees and community elm populations.

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