There are several parasitic diseases of deciduous trees. An elm tree is part of the deciduous tree family. One of the most common diseases that are found in an elm tree is Dutch elm disease. This is a lethal disease that was first discovered in the American elm of North Dakota. There are preventive measures that can be taken in order to prevent Dutch elm disease.

A symptom of Dutch elm disease is wilting. The wilting foliage usually dries up quickly depending on the type of climate that the deciduous tree is situated in. The foliage will turn yellow , then wilt and then turn brown after wilting. As Dutch elm disease progresses the wilting will become more severe and encompass most of the tree.

Wetwood is a bacterial infection that tends to strike the heart of a deciduous tree. The condition of wetwood can be seen when there is evidence of the discoloration of the wood and the sap. The wood and sap will appear discolored and oozing from cracks or wounds that are located in the bark.

Usually younger deciduous trees are severely injured by the bacterial infection known as wetwood. The leaves of the infected tree may begin to wilt and to turn yellow. When this occurs many of the branches of the tree will die. This symptom most often appear following or during a drought. An affected deciduous tree may eventually recover during a season of rainfall.

An external symptom of wetwood is an oozing of the sap that is also called “slime flux.” The branches may have stubs or wounds or other stem injuries that are noticeable. The slime flux on the outside of the tree will soon result in the internal pressure of the wood. When the internal pressure builds there is a growth in bacteria that forces the sap out of the tree. The sap that is produced will support the growth of molds and yeasts which can give off a foul odor.

Another disease that commonly affects deciduous trees is leaf spots. Leaf spots are a fungi that causes spots on the leaves of deciduous tree. The infected leaves of the tree will show irregular spots that are small and grayish. The leaf spots will be on the upper part of the leaf surface. The leaf spots will be surrounded by a yellow halo.

As the disease is left untreated in the tree the leaves will eventually become black and the spots will become thicker. If the infection is quite severe then the leaves may fall prematurely. Leaf spot usually is heavier in the leaves that are in the shade or lower in the crown. Leaf spot can affect trees in one area but not a neighboring area.

These are some of the more common disease that can affect deciduous trees. A deciduous tree can be treated in order to prevent a disease from ever occurring. If a deciduous tree is suffering from one of these diseases then there are measures that can be taken in order to save the tree. A deciduous tree is a beautiful sight. Preventive measures can ensure the continuing beauty of the deciduous tree.