Dutch Elm Disease is a serious fungal infection that affects elm trees. It is caused by the fungus Ophiostoma ulmi and is primarily spread by bark beetles, particularly the elm bark beetle. The disease blocks the tree's water transport system, leading to wilting, yellowing leaves, and eventually death. First identified in the Netherlands in the 1920s, Dutch Elm Disease has since spread across many countries, causing significant losses in urban and rural forests. Efforts to manage the disease include removing infected trees and controlling beetle populations, but prevention remains the most effective strategy for protecting elm trees.