Sick Elm

This picture was taken July 1st. I finally got around to seeing where all the leaves in the yard were coming from.

This is today, almost two weeks later

Wow. Is it yours? Any diagnosis or prognosis? ie chainsaw?

Most of the leaves on the ground were almost skeletonized, which seems like insect damage to me. Japanese Beetles ate every leaf off a nearby Sassafras last year. They're around this year, but not as bad, unless every single one decided this Elm was the tree to eat.
I'm guessing the tree was sick and the beetles finished what was left? Maybe Elm yellow disease or Dutch Elm?
I was surprised how suddenly this all happened, I thought it was interesting and figured I'd post a few pictures. I don't know what Elm it is, I was trying to figure out what was wrong with it. I'll try to ID it.
It's not my tree, it's beyond the neighbor's yard in a strip of trees between houses.

Hi snapple... cross-posted. The branches will probably start falling in my elderly neighbor's yard, becoming my problem that way. There's a couple native Dogwoods almost beneath it that will get hit as the boughs fall, but one of them isn't looking too good either.
Pretty sure I could drop it safely into the people who own it's yard, without hitting much of anything. They'd have to let me swim in their pool though. It's too bad really. Who knows, maybe it'll make a comeback but it doesn't look too likely right now.
For all I know it's an invasive anyway.



This message was edited Jul 13, 2007 5:20 PM

I won't attemp an ID from the pics you posted. There are others on this forum whom I sure can nail it. But, if it is a Siberian elm, then good riddance apparently.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/ulpu1.htm


How many seasons in the pool do you think this thing is worth?

Got a few more pictures with a ladder.
I figure two seasons of pool access to make it disappear, one season to cut it to woodstove size. A day to drop it.

This message was edited Jul 13, 2007 9:24 PM

I set this twig where I could get a picture. Obviously this tree has had problems for some time

Last picture

Are the leaves doubly serrated? This looks like an American Elm.

Yes, I forgot to mention that. I've been thinking American Elm too.

You might want to reconsider the number of seasons in the pool! Below is an excerpt from a govt. fact sheet.

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/ulmus/americana.htm

"The wood of American elm is moderately heavy, hard, and stiff. It has interlocked grain and is difficult to split, which is an advantage for its use as hockey sticks and where bending is needed. It is used principally for furniture, hardwood dimension, flooring, construction and mining timbers, and sheet metal work. Some elm wood goes into veneer for making boxes, crates, and baskets, and a small quantity is used for pulp and paper manufacture."