Cork Elm Disease ID

Tidal Bonsai

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I just purchased a cork bark elm yesterday, and literally overnight I noticed what I think is some sort of fungus. I burned all of the affected leaves, but I’m unsure what kind of chemical treatment to use. An ID would help me with my treatment plan!
 

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Tidal Bonsai

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Are these better? It looks like a growth on the leaf to me, not sure what it is?!?!
 

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LanceMac10

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Leaf gall. Not terminal. Maybe a mild fungicide would help. But that's more effective in early spring as the tree leaf's out. Try giving it more sun for now.

Most likely a fungus but could even be the dreaded nematodes in the soil.

Try not to water too late in the day.
 

Wires_Guy_wires

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elm leafminer
Hard to see from the pictures, but I believe I'm seeing tunnels too.

Miner larvae can be removed with a toothpick or a needle, that would at least make it identifiable. If it's larvae, just crush them between your fingers. They'll desiccate and shrivel, leaving the leaf intact.
 

Tidal Bonsai

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Thanks everybody! I just bought the tree Tuesday and it was in a shady spot of the nursery. They had probably been there for awhile hiding in interior stuff. I am moving it to a sunnier spot and going to town with insecticide 😜
 
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Tidal Bonsai

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Doesn't look too bad, regardless. Any photo of the whole tree?

I was waiting to create a thread, but since you asked so nicely 😜

This was the last one from a batch a club member started growing about 30 years ago. I have cuttings rooting now to continue its lineage. The bark is sick!!! She wasn’t 100% sure of the specific variety, so any help will be appreciated!
 

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Bonsai Nut

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I was waiting to create a thread, but since you asked so nicely 😜

This was the last one from a batch a club member started growing about 30 years ago. I have cuttings rooting now to continue its lineage. The bark is sick!!! She wasn’t 100% sure of the specific variety, so any help will be appreciated!

The reason why I ask is that cork bark elms throw out really strong leggy growth in the spring, and then inner leaves die off leaving you with a sad-looking tree. Sometimes problems with insects and fungus can be solved by a simple expedient - cut it all off! I defoliate my Chinese elms at least once per growing season because otherwise they become a leggy mop. If your tree is strong you might consider it. Looking at the photos of the tree in a nursery pot gives me pause due to possible root weakness... but if you feel the tree is strong enough it will heal numerous problems.
 

Tidal Bonsai

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The reason why I ask is that cork bark elms throw out really strong leggy growth in the spring, and then inner leaves die off leaving you with a sad-looking tree. Sometimes problems with insects and fungus can be solved by a simple expedient - cut it all off! I defoliate my Chinese elms at least once per growing season because otherwise they become a leggy mop. If your tree is strong you might consider it. Looking at the photos of the tree in a nursery pot gives me pause due to possible root weakness... but if you feel the tree is strong enough it will heal numerous problems.

Thank you very much for the tips! There is definately some root weakness because I had to saw it below the nursery can to get it off the ground! There was a big root that escaped the pot and anchored it to the ground. There were roots in the pot, but not enough for me to feel comfortable completely defoliating it.

I cut off as much as I feel comfortable removing at this moment, but the good news is that I see new buds popping at the top of the tree. If the problem persists, I may cut all or the old foliage.
 

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Tidal Bonsai

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Thanks for your help! I applied three in one, and I haven’t seen any newly affected leaves in the past few days! New growth is coming on strong and healthy.

I may air layer a thick upper branch if it continues good health for the next few weeks.
 

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johnbaz

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Hi

I've a few Elms, Two of which sent some weird foliage out this year!

Mine have white specs/streaks and edges to the leaves, The new growth seems ok though!, One is a standard Chelm, The other is a small Corkbark!

The Corkbark..
XzKYAD0.jpg
AvXeo94.jpg


And the standard one..
2XF6zEx.jpg
bxP9RWe.jpg


They both seem healthy enough, I just preferred the deeper green leaves that they normally have!!


John :)
 

Tidal Bonsai

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Hi

I've a few Elms, Two of which sent some weird foliage out this year!

Mine have white specs/streaks and edges to the leaves, The new growth seems ok though!, One is a standard Chelm, The other is a small Corkbark!

The Corkbark..
XzKYAD0.jpg
AvXeo94.jpg


And the standard one..
2XF6zEx.jpg
bxP9RWe.jpg


They both seem healthy enough, I just preferred the deeper green leaves that they normally have!!


John :)

That looks exactly like it, only they had growths/insects on them as well. I guess like Bonsai Nut said, sometimes removal is the best option 😂
 
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