Help with elm leaves

[larlamonde]

Folks I have a nice mature elm that has leaves that are coming out curled up and twisted. They look like you took the leave and rolled it up like a cigar. Then they turn black and die. Even the stems are all curled and twisted. They are in certain spots on the tree randomly. It almost looks like a cocoon of some kind but when I unroll it there is nothing in it. The tree was overwintered in my unheated garage this winter and I repotted about 6 weeks ago and grew nicely this year, I even pruned some of the first growth about 10 days ago. I have some experience with bonsai but have never seen anything like this before. I tried to download photos but they will not upload. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

 

[lordy]

Looks like you might have what I have on my elms. Elm leaf gall. Insects get to the tree early spring and what you see is apparently the tree's reaction to the insect. What I've been told is that by the time you see it the damage is done and the insect is gone. The good news is that the damage is cosmetic and the tree should be fine. I pinch off the effected leaves and THROW AWAY the bad stuff. In case there actually is something alive in those purple bulbs.

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?15098-Elm-leaf-gall

 

[larlamonde]

Lordy thanks for the quick reply. You say just cut off the affected parts? I even sprayed earlier this spring.

 

[lordy]

yeah, but I think it only just makes me feel better. I just tear them off and get rid of the bad leaves in case there really is something in there...

 

[catfish chapstick]

I had what I think we're spider mites that caused that on an elm I recently collected.

 

[cmeg1]

Looks like peach leaf curl,very similar to gulls,but without the gulls.
Peach leaf curl is from an air born spore in spring.No need for chemicals,just remove the leaf and let the stem remain and you will not have any trouble.If you leave the leafs on the tree ,new spores fall on the lower leafs and can weaken a tree.
The best way to avoid peach leaf curl is keep the trees under cover in spring so the spores cannot land on the tree.No big deal though as long as you give the special treatment.
Dormant spray in winter is good for it too.

 

[bonsaiBlake]

Looks like peach leaf curl,very similar to gulls,but without the gulls.
Peach leaf curl is from an air born spore in spring.No need for chemicals,just remove the leaf and let the stem remain and you will not have any trouble.If you leave the leafs on the tree ,new spores fall on the lower leafs and can weaken a tree.
The best way to avoid this is keep the trees under cover in spring so the spores cannot land on the tree.

glad u posted this. i was going to ask because i have a peach tree doing exactly this right now. Ive been removing the individually affected leafs glad to know im on the right track.

 

[cmeg1]

glad u posted this. i was going to ask because i have a peach tree doing exactly this right now. Ive been removing the individually affected leafs glad to know im on the right track.

Yes,I learned this from Peter Chan's book Choosing and Growing Bonsai.It had a section on plant problems that is totally helpful.
If I did not know this,surprises such as peach leaf curl would of bummed me this season as I have it on my favorite trees.The terminal bud of the shoot will eventually pull out of it as long as you remove the affected leaves.New leaves will even sprout.

 

[jk_lewis]

It is a "gall" (gulls are birds). Caused by an insect -- long gone now. "Peach leaf gall" is unlikely, I think to affect an elm, but lots of things cause galls. Most do no permanent damage.