News: Abbotsford (Dutch Elm Disease - 1962)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 9/09/2015

Originally published in the Abbotsford Tribune, Thursday, July 13, 1962.

Several cases of Dutch elm disease have been discovered in Marshfield and it is felt that it will be only a question of time until Clark County is affected.

Trees affected with the disease show leaves wilting and turning yellow on one or more branches followed by leaves falling. In some cases, a few branches die slowly over a year or more, and in other cased it happens faster.

A bulletin describing the disease and giving full information about what can be done about it is available at the Clark County agriculture agent office in Neillsville.

The disease has proven difficult to control. It is spread by a beetle living in the bark of the trees. Spraying, although expensive, has proven helpful in preventing the spread of the disease. Much has been written about inoculation of trees, but it has not been successful in any efforts tried to date.

Destroying dead wood and branches which also house the disease carrying beetle has also helped.

Little value is placed on the trees as forest products but no value can be set on the beauty of the trees and the value of their shade around homes and on city streets.