Small holes in elm leaves - Ask Extension
We have a neighboring elm tree that gets dozens of small holes in the leaves, which eventually look skeletal by the time they fall in November/Decembe...
Knowledgebase
Small holes in elm leaves #870039
Asked May 25, 2024, 10:01 AM EDT
We have a neighboring elm tree that gets dozens of small holes in the leaves, which eventually look skeletal by the time they fall in November/December.
The tree starts green and looks healthy but by the end of summer looks sick. It does not affect the hornbeam next to it.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hello, this is very likely caused by the elm leaf beetle, as it is the most common leaf skeletonizer (feeds on the leaf tissue but does not eat the veins) of elm. There isn't much you can do unless you want to spray insecticides, but of course before spraying you would want to confirm it is elm leaf beetle. There may also be some specific traps for catching adults. I would suggest discussing management with a local nursery.
Here are a couple of links:
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/landscape/hosts-pests-landscape-plants/elm-ulmus-elm-leaf-beetle
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5347771.pdf
Here are a couple of links:
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/landscape/hosts-pests-landscape-plants/elm-ulmus-elm-leaf-beetle
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5347771.pdf
