Ulmus Procera - Pests and Diseases

Pests and Diseases

Owing to its homogeneity, the tree has proven particularly susceptible to Dutch elm disease, but immature trees remain a common feature in the English countryside courtesy of the ability to sucker from roots. After about 20 years, these suckers too become infected by the fungus and killed back to ground level. English Elm was the first elm to be genetically engineered to resist disease, at the University of Abertay Dundee. It was an ideal subject for such an experiment, as its sterility meant there was no danger of its introgression into the countryside.

In the USA, U. procera was found to be one of the most preferred elms for feeding by the Japanese Beetle Popillia japonica.

The leaves of the English Elm in the UK are mined by Stigmella ulmivora.