Economic Effectiveness of Operational Therapeutic Pruning for Control of Dutch Elm Disease

Therapeutic pruning for Dutch elm disease control has not been widely used in Minnesota because of fear of low success, operational difficulties, and difficulty in obtaining funds for such a program. We report a study in which trees were identified for pruning during routine tree inspections, and pruned by contractors. Of 32 pruned trees, 8 have died. Had trees not been pruned, removal costs would have been $5351. The pruning and removal of trees which died subsequently cost $1856. The pruning program reduced the Dutch elm disease program budget in participating communities, and prolonged the life of the pruned elms.