Injections

Protection against Dutch elm disease for American Elms
In 1983, DuPont Co. appointed Elm Research Institute as the exclusive distributor of ELM FUNGICIDE. It contains the same ingredients as the chemical used since 1975 known as Lignasan BLP (methyl 2-benzimidazolecarbamate phosphate). Several years ago, with assistance from a DuPont technical advisor, Odom Industries began manufacturing ELM FUNGICIDE for us. In the past 2 years we have discontinued supplying ELM FUNGICIDE due to the rising cost of state pesticide registration fees and scarce supply of the ingredient to formulate the fungicide. Needless to say we heard from the majority of our members, many who have been injecting since 1975. We heard you loud and clear. You know ELM FUNGICIDE works and will accept no substitutes. We have developed a new source of the ingredient necessary to formulate. We are now assured we will have an uninterrupted supply of quality, full strength material to support our members and Conscientious Injector groups.

ORDER 1 GAL. ELM FUNGICIDE (We ship to Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Tennessee only)

ORDER 2 GAL. ELM FUNGICIDE (We ship to Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Tennessee only)

ORDER 3 GAL. ELM FUNGICIDE (We ship to Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Tennessee only)

ORDER 4 GAL. ELM FUNGICIDE (We ship to Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Tennessee only)

ORDER 5 GAL. ELM FUNGICIDE (We ship to Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Tennessee only)

RENT LOW PRESSURE INJECTOR includes tees, vent, harness - for up to 12 ft circumference tree, pressure guage and pump)
$30 + $50 DEPOSIT (DEPOSIT REFUNDED WHEN EQUIPMENT IS RETURNED)

Since 1975, over 100,000 American elms have been treated with ELM FUNGICIDE. It continues to be 95% effective when used as an annual preventive measure. However, the high cost of pesticide registration fees we are required to pay in each state remains a problem. After all Elm Fungicide is non-toxic. In fact, unlike Arbotect, it won’t harm the tree no matter how much is injected. The phosphate content actually provides nutrient. Therefore, it should be classified as a minimal risk pesticide with no fee. We are also asking our members to share the cost. We are also asking our members to help us get an exemption from the fees. If you are a member using ELM FUNGICIDE and are willing to help please call 1-800-367-3567.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elm Fungicide
For more than 37 years, thousands of American elms have been injected annually with Elm Fungicide. Survival of diseased trees showing 5 percent or less flagging, averages 54 percent success with treatment. Don't wait. Inject your elms today. Elm Fungicide is environmentally safe as well as effective at preventing Dutch elm disease

QUESTIONS:
What is the Cost?
The cost $49 (+ donation* to cover the cost of Pest Reg Fees, shipping and handling) will treat a 6 – 8 ft. circumference tree. * Includes Personal Memorial)

Will it burn the tree if I over-inject?
No.

Can this injection girdled the tree?
No

Does it have fertilizer value? Yes

How should I store my fungicide?
Elm Fungicide has an indefinite shelf life as long as it is stored above freezing temperatures.

What should Elm Fungicide look like?
Fungicide can be light to dark orange-brown (the color of apple cider) and does darken with age. Occasionally, algae will form on the top of fungicide. Simply filter it through cheesecloth to remove.

How should I administer treatment?
Begin by drilling holes in the root flares of the tree, if they are not exposed. Begin at the base of the tree as close to the ground as possible. Using a 5/16 inch drill bit, drill holes at a slight angle upward and continue until white shavings appear. about 1-1/2 to 2 inches (this indicates that you are through the bark and into the cambium where you need to be for the most efficient uptake of the fungicide). Remove the sawdust with a pen knife. Insert the nylon T's and proceed according to directions that come with the equipment. (Rental injectors available.)  

Should I use the same holes each year?
Emphatically, NO! Healing seals off holes. Drill new holes 2-3 inches higher and staggered to the left or right of the previous year's holes so that you have a zig-zag effect.

Will injection holes girdle the tree or cause rot? NO. When new holes are drilled according to the previously mentioned technique, each hole will heal naturally. This technique had been used for over 20 years on the same trees with no visible damage. We have lost no trees to rot, but millions to Dutch elm disease when left untreated

What should be done about the holes made by treatment? Fill each hole with grafting compound to promote healing and seal off potential moisture which encourages insects and diseases. DO NOT USE WOODEN PEGS.

When should I inject? The optimum time is in the spring before the beetles emerge, when foliage is half-to-fully developed, although injections can be made throughout the growing season. The success rate will be highest when injection takes place during the early part of the growing season.

How long does it take to inject a tree? Depending upon weather, climate, and trunk size, average treatment takes 2 to 24 hours. Some trees will take it up in just 30 minutes. Trees will be slower to take up the liquid when the humidity is high, just after a rain or if the tree is not in good condition. Under these conditions, people have been known to leave the injector on for up to a week.

Is there special treatment if hard water is used in mixing fungicide?
Yes, precipitation may occur with highly alkaline (hard) water. Where this occurs, use distilled, de-ionized or bottled water or add 6 oz. of phosphoric acid (85 percent) per hundred gallons of water. (Follow directions on label.) This will reduce alkalinity.

What are dosage and dilution rates?
Label instructions contain both a preventive and a therapeutic treatment. Because of the scope of DED we must assume that every elm has been exposed to the disease and therefore recommend the use of the therapeutic treatment only: 1 quart of Elm Fungicide to 4 gals. of water. Use 2 gals. dilute solution per foot circumference. Inject until the tree will not take any more solution, refilling the tank as many times as necessary.

Should I sterilize the tees between trees?
Yes. Wipe off the tees with alcohol or bleach and water solution (1:5 dilution ratio) to sterilize tees. This will kill any fungus and avoid the potential of spreading the disease from an infected tree to a healthy tree.

Are special precautions necessary in handling these chemicals?
No. Follow instructions on label.

Is the gravity method using a bucket or caps hung on the tree effective?
In the view of our researchers, the bucket or cap method does not insure getting the chemical to where it must go to be effective and should be used only as a last resort when it is impossible to use low pressure injection methods.

What amount of pressure should I use?
10 to 30 psi is recommended. Anything higher may destroy the vascular system of the trees, thus causing internal damage.

What is the capacity of an injector? The Model 104 injector holds 16 gallons.

Should I inject my American Liberty Elm to further protect it against DED? Yes, by all means. After your tree reaches 5 – 6”in diameter, measured 1 ft. above the ground, you should further insure it against infection by injecting it immediately after it leafs out each Spring.