Elm (?) Issue - Ask Extension
There are some trees lining the roads near my home. I believe they are elms, though I've attached a photo of some leaves just to confirm. They look mu...
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Elm (?) Issue #928162
Asked April 12, 2026, 3:37 PM EDT
There are some trees lining the roads near my home. I believe they are elms, though I've attached a photo of some leaves just to confirm. They look much worse after this winter than they have in the past. Is this the result of the cold winter, just their age, or potentially some disease? We'll need to decide whether to have them removed or not.
Queen Anne's County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi Nathan,
Are these trees on your property? The leaf shape looks like an elm, but I can't say for certain what is going on with them. You'd have to really look at the entire tree - starting with the base of the trunk. Are there girdling roots? Is there any oozing or dark-staining on the trunk? Any injury bark cracks/splits, etc.? Can you see any honeydew on the branches? Any sooty mold? Are these street trees? Had anyone been watering them throughout the past 2 years' of droughty conditions?? They are very large. My recommendation would be to have them evaluated by a certified arborist, who can look at them in person to determine what is going on.
Marie
