Brown Spots on Your Elm Tree? It Might Be More Than Just Dry Leaves

Elm Leafminer

The Elm Leafminer is the baby form (larva) of a tiny wasp that looks like a small fly. These larvae live inside the leaves of elm trees. Instead of eating the leaf from the outside, they dig through it from the inside this is called "mining" the leaf.

Why is it a Problem?

As the larvae eat inside the leaf:

• Brown patches start to show up.

• The leaf becomes dry and thin, like paper.

• If many leaves are damaged, the whole tree can suffer, especially if this happens every year.

To protect your trees from elm leafminers, plant tree varieties that are less likely to get attacked. Use systemic insecticides early in the season these treatments travel inside the tree to stop larvae before they cause damage. Once leaves turn brown, it’s usually too late to treat effectively.

You might have an Elm Leafminer problem if you see:

• Brown, dry spots on leaves.

• Patchy or papery areas on the leaf.

• Leaves falling off too early in the season.

Don’t wait for the damage to spread.

Request a professional tree inspection today at UtahTreeCare.com or call us at (801)-870-0164 to protect your landscape before the season ends.

Healthy trees start with early action!