The Chinese Elm Drops a Branch

Our Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) recently dropped a branch after several days of intense rain. The tree has Anthracnose, a slow moving fungal disease that eats away at the bark and causes cankers. Eventually a branch may become weak and die.

Branch descended from the Chinese Elm (Spring 2019)

The tree dropped another branch about two years ago, in similar circumstances, after the heavy rains that brought us out of the drought. What's unique about the tree is that, in both cases, the limbs descended slowly, making muted snapping sounds as the compromised wood fibers gave way. The branches did not come crashing down as they might have in other trees.

Another branch blocked gate (Spring 2017)

Our arborist has been monitoring the disease over the last 20 years, trying to keep the tree for as long as possible. It has lovely mottled bark, shiny single-toothed leaves, a graceful stance, and provides lovely dappled shade along side our big oak tree. So far we have been able to save the tree. As always, we called Brende and Lambe to clear away the fallen branch, aesthetically prune what remains, and assess the safety of the tree.

The branch has been removed and the tree still provides shade (Spring 2019)