At Homer Tree Care, we’re keeping a close eye on the health of trees throughout the Chicagoland region. Right now, Dutch Elm Disease is in its active transmission season and requires immediate attention. At the same time, a newer threat—Beech Leaf Disease—has not yet been found in Illinois but is spreading across the eastern U.S., prompting early awareness and monitoring.
Whether you’re managing mature elms or growing ornamental beech trees, staying informed can help you protect your landscape from serious damage.
Dutch Elm Disease: Act Now to Protect Your Trees
Dutch Elm Disease (DED) is a well-known and fast-moving threat to elm trees in Illinois. Caused by fungal pathogens (Ophiostoma ulmi and Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) and spread by elm bark beetles or root grafts between trees, DED can kill a tree in a single season if left untreated.
Now is the time to inspect and treat susceptible trees. Key symptoms include:
- Wilting or yellowing leaves, often starting on a single limb
- Brown streaks under the bark
- Early leaf drop and canopy thinning
Because the disease spreads most rapidly during the summer, preventive fungicide injections should be done now to help protect elms through the growing season. For infected trees, early pruning or complete removal may be necessary to prevent spread to nearby healthy trees.
At Homer Tree Care, our certified arborists are trained in accurate diagnosis, sanitation pruning, and tree injection protocols for Dutch Elm Disease. If your elm trees haven’t been inspected or treated recently, it’s not too late—contact us to schedule a visit this season.
Beech Leaf Disease: A Serious Risk on the Horizon
While Illinois has not yet reported any confirmed cases of Beech Leaf Disease (BLD), this newly discovered issue is steadily moving west from its original detection site in Ohio and along the East Coast. BLD was first identified in 2012 and is caused by a microscopic nematode (Litylenchus crenatae mccannii), which invades beech buds and leaves, leading to long-term decline and eventual death.
Why this matters in Illinois:
American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and ornamental varieties are popular landscape trees prized for their shade, smooth bark, and brilliant fall color. If BLD arrives in Illinois, it could threaten both urban forests and backyard favorites.
Early symptoms of BLD include:
- Dark striping or banding between leaf veins
- Thicker, leathery leaves
- Leaf curling, cupping, or distortion
- Canopy thinning over time
Although no cure exists yet, researchers are actively studying this disease, and early identification can help reduce spread and stress on affected trees. If you have beech trees on your property, now is a good time to start observing their leaf health and discussing proactive care with a certified arborist.
Partner with Local Experts to Safeguard Your Trees
Tree diseases—whether long-established like Dutch Elm Disease or emerging like Beech Leaf Disease—pose a serious risk to the health and beauty of your landscape. Fortunately, early action can make all the difference.
At Homer Tree Care, our team is equipped with the tools, training, and knowledge to help you:
- Diagnose and treat Dutch Elm Disease before it’s too late
- Monitor your beech trees for early signs of disease
- Develop a proactive plan for preserving valuable trees
Contact us today to schedule a site visit or tree health evaluation. Let’s work together to keep Illinois trees strong and resilient—now and for generations to come.