elm yellows (EY) phytoplasma

[Nick Harrison]

Was at a talk yesterday hosted by CIRIA, the HTA were there talking about the potential threat of elm yellows, something that has been fairly widespread in the US and is now showing up in a handful of countries in Europe.

 

I have to confess I hadn't even heard of it before, thought i'd post here for those who also were unaware of it. useful link here

 

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/elmyellows

[Paul Melarange]

Thanks for posting this Nick. It's something I hadn't heard of before. Hope the new job is going well 😀

[David Humphries]

Good heads up, thanks.

 

I'll share with our tree health group at work

 

 

 

Makes you wonder about the susceptability of 'bred' trees to organisms that perhaps a healthy 'unadulterated gentically pure' tree may be able to tolerate ?

 

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[Nick Harrison]

thanks paul,

 

from the small amount I've read, the appearance can be similar to DED so it could potentially sneak in under the radar, definitely something for the practising arbs and T.O's to keep an eye out for.

 

hope sally's enjoying her new role

[Nick Harrison]

Good heads up, thanks.

 

I'll share with our tree health group at work

 

.

 

glad it's not just me then that hadn't heard of this!

[agg221]

I was aware of it, but this is a very useful update on status, particularly for importing material.

 

It's a real blow, as it has affected the variety Morfeo, which represents over a decade of work in Italy, through a series of crosses, resulting in a hybrid which reasonably resembles the English Elm and is very highly resistant to DED - to the point where there was real hope that it could be introduced as a functional replacement.

 

Work in Italy also indicates that some strains of elm may be so resistant to elm yellows that it is present but never even shows. The fact that one of the most promising strains in respect of DED is proving one of the least resistant to elm yellows is highly unfortunate.

 

I would imagine that there is now another series of testing to be carried out on the dozen or so DED resistant strains identified, to establish phytoplasma resistance. Unfortunately, apparently early indications are that some of the Spanish strains (which are selections of naturally grown trees, rather than complex hybrids) are particularly susceptible

 

This is one of the reasons I want to run a trial on the surviving UK trees - to try to identify any more resistant strains to supplement the available options.

 

Alec

[Sal]

Interesting stuff. I'd not heard of this but have just downloaded some bits to read through.

 

And I'm loving the new job Nick thank you. I hope all is good in Harrow