The impact of the destructive Elm Leaf Beetle is being felt across the Wingecarribee Shire.
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In early January the Southern Highland News shared the story from Arborist, Guy O’Donnell, about the beetle which had been known to skeletonise elm trees.
The expert in ELB treatment confirmed the presence of beetle across the Highlands last week.
He had commenced treatment on elms in Sutton Forest and has continued treating elms to protect them against the Elm Leaf Beetle since then.
Sutton Forest resident Valerie De Burca was especially concerned about the impact of the ELB and turned to Mr O’Donnell for support in rescuing her four Golden Elms.
It was a chance for her to learn more about the destructive beetle and ensure her four 30-year-old Golden Elms, returned to a healthy condition.
Mrs De Burca’s elms each spread across 15 meters and all of them have had their canopies stripped by 50 per cent.
Mr O’Donnell treated them to stop any further attack using sterile stem injections. He expects they will have fully protected canopies next spring.
He said the ELB had entered the Highlands from the south, hitching a lift on vehicles along the roads off the freeway such as Golden Vale Road and the Illawarra Highway.
Mr O’Donnell said this explained why the infestations in Sutton Forest were so advanced.
He said it was the second season the beetle had been in the area.
“They have also entered via Sally’s Corner Road and along Middle Road, Exeter, to a lesser extent,” he said.
“The elms along Station Street, Bowral, have been heavily attacked and the Golden Elms planted further up Mittagong Road, Bowral, past the pool would be affected soon.
“It has spread to Mittagong, Alymerton and Colo Vale.”
Mr O’Donnell said all elms could be attacked by the ELB except the original (ungrafted) form of the Chinese Elm, Ulmus Parvifolia and several of its grafted forms, such as the cultivar Ulmus Parvifolia ‘Todd’.
The susceptible elms include the Japanese Elm of the Genus Zelkova as well as the usual elms planted throughout the Highlands, typically the English Elm, Wych Elm and Weeping Elms.
Mr O’Donnell said tell-tale signs were the shot holes through the leaf made by the beetle, upwards from on millimetre in diameter, and the skeletonising under the leaf surface.
Details: 0412 288 626 or https://tinyurl.com/ELB-0412288626
Guy began his Consulting and Practicing arborist business in the Highlands in 1981 and specialises in Elm leaf Beetle treatment. He has continued to consult in the Highlands for the past 36 years.
