Dieback in crown of elm tree - Dutch elm disease?

[Cordata]

Hi all,

 

I have a customer with an elm tree which has shown dieback in the crown.

 

They say it was first noticed approx 3 weeks ago. I'm wondering if it could be Dutch elm disease, or if there is perhaps heat stress from the hot weather which is causing the crown of the tree to experience die back.

 

Research says that D.E.D typically occurs in summer, sometimes autumn months. Foliage wilts away from the shoot tip downwards and is caused by the elm bark beetle Scolytus scolytus. Key characteristic of the disease is 'shepherds crooks' in the twigs (although this may be caused by other things apparently) I suggested climbing it to get a better look, and to take more photos for diagnosing it. 

 

Can anyone here advise on how to determine if this is definitely Dutch elm disease?

 

Please see attached photos below, thanks

 

 

[josharb87]

Looks pretty typical DED I’m afraid 

[Dan Maynard]

Give it a few weeks and the brown will spread if it's DED. I think the most positive ID comes from the beetle egg galleries  under the dead bark, but round here it would be a very rare elm that got bigger than that without DED so is most likely candidate.