Today we pruned a large elm tree in front of the Town Hall on Main Street in Hanover. William Desch, the towns’ arborist, knows pruned elms stand a much better chance of keeping Dutch elm disease at bay. In fact all of the town’s elms along with Dartmouth College’s elm trees are pruned and monitored in a good effort to keep them free of Dutch elm disease.
Why does pruning help? Dutch elm disease spreads from tree to tree primarily one way (to keep this post short I won’t even mention the lesser ways). The disease causing fungus is carried by an insect vector called the elm bark beetle. The beetles like to hang out under the bark of dead elm trees and the dead branches of otherwise healthy elm trees. Keeping elm trees free of dead or damaged branches reduces the threat and spread of the disease.
In addition to pruning elm trees, a good sanitation program must include the quick removal and disposal of infected trees if remedial treatment is considered ineffectual. Remedial treatments usually include: cutting behind the infection (removal of infected parts) and a follow-up fungicide treatment.
So, from 9am this morning till about noon, Bill Murphy one of our ISA certified arborists ascended the tree and pruned. The rest of us on the ground kept pedestrian traffic safely flowing while the Hanover Police graciously directed traffic.
The sun was shining, people were happy, and the tree was being preserved. It is Friday, and all is good!
