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  Deadly fungus
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The pathogen is a microscopic fungus, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, first seen in its asexual form Graphium ulmi. The DED cycle is deadly efficient. In the spring, bark beetles Scolytus sp carrying fungal spores emerge from the trunks of diseased trees where they matured and fly to the tops of healthy trees, which they contaminate. Dying elms attract more bark beetles, which lay their eggs under the bark. The diseased tree dies within just a year or two. Only a few mature elms apparently untouched by the disease remain standing. There is little future for suckers because they will very probably succumb to DED before reaching maturity.

 

 Other publication on the subject 

Origins of all elm clones held by project participants in 2002 (pdf)

Final Report  
Shared cost project co-ordinated by Christian Ginisty and Eric Collin, Cemagref
Compiled by Eric COLLIN, Alberto SANTINI and, Pete Hollingsworth

Task 1: Elaboration of the European elm clones database (1997, 1998)

Task 2: Molecular characterisation and study of genetic diversity (1997 to 2000)

Task 3: Evaluation of the collections for desirable traits (1997-2001)

Task 4: Definition of the core collection (1997-2001)

Task 5: Establishment and maintenance of the core collection (1997-2001)

Task 6: Diffusion of results (1997-2001)

More information on the participants