Dutch Elm Disease

Report a sighting

Please report sightings of disease by telephoning: 01323 871095.

Vigilance and prompt action by the Dutch Elm Disease control team is the only way of limiting the spread of this disease.

Dutch Elm Disease in East Sussex

Dutch Elm Disease has killed millions of elm trees in the UK since its arrival in 1971. In partnership with other local authorities, a control zone was set up in 1973 to limit the spread of the disease in East Sussex and the surrounding area.

This has been extremely successful:

• East Sussex now contains the only population of mature English elms in the world
• there are now many more elms inside the East Sussex zone than when the disease arrived – nearly 50,000. This includes a number of large veteran elms.

For information about the management of the control zone contact the Sussex Downs Conservation Board.

Find out more

• The Forestry Commission website has information about Dutch Elm Disease in Britain
• For more detailed information about management and control visit The University of Nottingham.