Dutch Elm Disease

One early symptom of DED is the “flagging” of elm leaves. Flagging is the wilting and browning of elm leaves.

Dutch elm disease, or DED, is caused by a fungus.

DED can be spread from a diseased elm to a healthy elm through root connections called root grafts, or carried on elm bark beetles

DED is fatal to infected elms, although new DED-resistant varieties are currently available.

All diseased trees marked with an orange ‘X’ have been positively diagnosed and/or declared a public nuisance according to City Ordinance #47. The diagnosed tree(s) must be removed and properly disposed of within 20 days from the date printed on the notice. The property owner must manage the removal of all marked trees. Tree removal must include the removal of bark from the stump, but does not require the removal of the stump.

If the property owner fails to remove the diagnosed tree(s) within the specified timeframe, the City will manage the removal.

The City will obtain unit bids from licensed and insured contractors for the removal of the infected tree(s). The cost of removing the infected tree(s) will not be known until the City requests quotations from contractors. The removal will include removing bark from the stump, but will not include removing the stump. The property owner will be billed for the removal and wood disposal costs incurred by the City, as well as an administrative fee of $37.50 for each property identified on this notice. Property owners who wish to obtain more specific information relative to the removal procedure, or if you no longer own the property, or if this notice was sent to you in error, please contact the Forestry Division.                                  

All infected wood must be disposed of at a City-approved wood-waste facility. At no time is infected elm wood allowed to be stored in Rochester. No firewood, logs, or brush may be left on site with bark intact from the removal of a Dutch Elm Disease-infested tree.

Please help prevent the spread of Dutch Elm Disease by hiring only companies that properly dispose of infected wood. To learn more about the spread of Dutch Elm Disease, or how you might protect your healthy trees, visit the University of Minnesota Extension Service website.

1Unit bids are defined as costs for the removal of each diseased tree.