Protecting our trees from the elm leaf beetle

Published on 24 August 2022

Macedon Ranges Shire Council will begin its annual elm tree treatment program in the coming weeks as part of the yearly management program to protect the shire’s 2,700 elm trees from the Elm Leaf Beetle.

The Elm Leaf Beetle feeds on the leaves of elm trees and defoliates mature trees. Trees that have been attacked present a distinctive round hole in their leaves, and repeated infestations can seriously weaken trees leading to issues with visual amenity, safety and lifespan.

While it is impossible to eradicate the beetle, Council has developed a preventative management program to protect significant stands of elms, predominantly in parks and avenues.

Treatment generally occurs from September to November, and methods include spraying and injecting the soil around the tree’s root zone with low toxicity insecticide. This safe and effective method of treating large trees generally protects them for more than one season.

For more information, please view Council’s Township Street and Park Tree Management Policy or call 5422 0333.