CARTER: THE WETWOOD DISEASE OF ELM 15 



Treatment 



Because the wetwood organism is usually widespread in the 

 trunk and large branches of an affected tree, removing the 

 branches on which leaves have wilted will not eliminate the dis- 

 ease. Many branches on which the leaves have wilted as a result 

 of wetwood infection do not die but produce a new crop of leaves 

 later in the current growing season or during the following grow- 

 ing season. Removal of branches having wilted leaves should be 

 delayed at least until the spring after wilting is observed, when 

 only the dead wood should be removed. This delay in pruning 

 may prevent premature destruction of the ornamental value of 

 the wetwood-affected tree. Feeding will stimulate growth and 

 may aid the tree in overcoming the adverse effects of the wetwood 

 disease. 



Although fluxing is one symptom of wetwood infection, not 

 all trees that flux are affected with wetwood. Before treatment 

 of a fluxing tree is begun, the source of the flux should be de- 

 termined. 



Fluxing and subsequent development of slime flux may arise 

 from bark wounds that penetrate only to the cambial region. 

 Such wounds may be made by insects, ice, wind, lightning, or 

 man-operated tools or machinery. Bacteria may enter through 

 these wounds and ferment the sap in the cambial region. The re- 

 sulting disease, sometimes referred to as alcoholic flux, is not re- 

 lated to wetwood, and the fluxing that is characteristic of it will 

 not be stopped by boring holes in the affected tree, as recom- 

 mended below for a wetwood-affected tree. Because the disease 

 is limited to localized wounds, its treatment differs from that for 

 wetwood ; the diseased bark should be removed and the underly- 

 ing wood should be disinfected and coated with a good wound 

 dressing. 



A tree that shows wilting of leaves or other symptoms of 

 wetwood should be thoroughly examined for wounds through 

 which toxic sap or flux is exuding. Wounds associated with wet- 

 wood extend through the bark and into the heartwood or at least 

 into the old sapwood. Such wounds may be in large branches or 

 in the trunk below wilting branches. A hole bored in the branch 

 or trunk below the wound will allow the flux to escape and will 

 prevent further oozing of flux through the wound. A drain pipe, 

 if properly inserted in the hole, will prevent the flux from coming 

 in contact with the cambium and from flowing over the outer sur- 



