Dutch elm disease

Dutch elm disease, severe fungal disease of the elm tree. First identified in Holland in 1919, it was observed in America in 1930, in an area close to New York City. It now afflicts trees nationwide. The fungus, carried by certain beetles, can kill a tree within four weeks. Cutting and burning affected trees is one way to control the spread of the disease; another is the use of fungicides. But there is no safe cure for dutch elm disease.