Dutch elm disease
Dutch elm disease is a serious fungal infection that affects elm trees. It is caused by the fungus Ophiostoma ulmi and is spread primarily by elm bark beetles. 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, significantly reducing elm tree populations. Efforts to manage the disease include removing infected trees and controlling beetle populations, but the disease remains a significant threat to urban forests and natural ecosystems.