Ask an Expert

Question from Barbara, Sandy, UT (received 5/10/20) -

My home is located inside a yard area with Siberian elms on all 3 sides with seeds, leaves and trash. Is there any depredation for such a massive problem. One tree has slime flux. Is there any help?

Answer from Gabrielle Harden, USU Forestry Extension Educator (sent 5/11/20) -

Barbara,

Siberian elms are known to leave an awful mess with their yellow pods covering everything in site. If the seeds become established in the earth, seedlings can sprout that are difficult to eradicate. Seedlings can also sprout from the root systems. Some regions consider them noxious weeds. On the other hand, they are adaptable with our changing climate and provide a good source of shade. If you don't want the mess that these trees are creating, you could consider having them removed. With larger trees, you could attempt to girdle them. This would cause them to die within 1-2 years.

Slime flux, while not visually appealing, it typically is not harmful to trees. It occurs in response to a previous wound. When a tree is wounded, bacteria can enter and slime flux can occur. This fact sheet provides some in depth detail about slime flux.

I hope this was helpful.

Good luck.