Knowledgebase

Can dead elm (with crown removed) be safely left standing? #922742

Asked December 08, 2025, 2:13 PM EST

Hello, I have written to Cheryl Smith and have just learned that she has retired from UNH Extension. I forward my request to you, with thanks for your consideration:   Dear Cheryl Smith, Good day. Having read with interest your Pest Fact Sheet on Dutch Elm Disease for the UNH Cooperative Extension, I wish to consult you here about a magnificent but recently deceased elm tree in my backyard in New Haven, Connecticut. Thank you in advance for any time and  advice you could give regarding my situation.  In the attached photo, the tree in question is the middle one  (between two old maples) with the striking diagonal. Because of the beauty of this tree, even in death, I would consider leaving a part of it standing as a monument to its former self.  Some arborists i have consulted are willing to oblige me in this (remove the crown and leave the leaders, or some of them)  while others are not, citing risk as the tree weakens. But all of them are seeking business, while I am trying to understand what are my responsible options. Given that the tree has just recently died (spring 2025 was the first time it made no leaves), can I responsibly leave a limited part of it standing, in your judgement? (FYI If that standing part should eventually fall, it would hit no structures or walkways.) I should add that I do not know for a fact that it was killed by Dutch Elm Disease. Any thoughts you can share would be very helpful and enormously appreciated.  

New Haven County Connecticut

Expert Response

Hello Collette,

Thank you for reaching out to the UNH Extension Infoline.  I am not sure from your message if you read the information at this UNH site: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/dutch-elm-disease-fact-sheet

On this page it recommends the following: "

Cultural Practices - Destroy dead elm material (logs, dead trees, etc.); if logs are stored, remove bark. This must be done before the adult beetles emerge in the spring.

Prune infected branches as soon as first symptoms are observed. All infected branches should be removed at a branch fork at least 5 feet, and preferably 10 feet, below the last sign of streaking in the sapwood. (This is effective only if 5% or less of the tree is showing flagging or wilting symptoms.)

Physically destroy root grafts between adjacent trees. Destroy root grafts before infected trees are removed.:"

The reason for this is also on this page:  "The fungus overwinters in the wood of infected, dying trees and produces spores in the bark beetles’ tunnels, where the beetles may pick up the spores as they move through the tunnels and emerge from infected trees. The fungal spores are spread to healthy trees when the adult beetles emerge, fly to healthy trees and feed on the twigs"

The following Minnesota site also recommends removal if it is in fact Dutch Elm disease that caused the death of the tree: https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/dutch-elm-disease

As does the following Penn State site: https://extension.psu.edu/elm-diseases

I hope this information is helpful! Please feel free to reach out with any further questions!

Thank you for contacting the Infoline, a service of the UNH Cooperative Extension. Replied December 09, 2025, 9:26 AM EST

Loading ...