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Siberian elm · Ulmus pumila

Why are there holes in my Siberian elm leaves?

Seeing skeletonized leaves on your Siberian elm is a classic sign of the elm leaf beetle. These pests feed on the foliage and can quickly ruin the look of your tree. Check the undersides of the leaves for small, yellow eggs or larvae.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the underside of the leaves for eggs or larvae.
  2. Look for skeletonized patterns on the foliage.
  3. Check for sticky residue on the branches.

Likely causes

  1. Elm Leaf Beetle

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see leaves that look like lace because the green tissue is eaten away between the veins. Look for small, yellowish larvae or metallic beetles on the leaves.

    What to do: Apply a systemic insecticide containing imidacloprid to the soil around the base of the tree in early spring. For smaller trees, you can spray the foliage with neem oil or spinosad when larvae are active.

  2. Aphids

    Possible

    How to tell: Leaves may look curled or sticky from honeydew secretions. You might see ants crawling on the branches to feed on this substance.

    What to do: Blast the leaves with a strong stream of water from your garden hose to knock the aphids off. If the infestation is heavy, use insecticidal soap to coat the leaves thoroughly.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your siberian elm

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Minor damage is usually cosmetic, but severe defoliation over several years can weaken the tree. If the tree loses most of its leaves before autumn, consult a professional arborist.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your tree healthy with proper watering and mulch to help it resist pest pressure. Clean up fallen leaves in the autumn to reduce overwintering sites for beetles.

Siberian elm: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your siberian elm and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Will these pests kill my tree?
Usually, they just make it look messy. However, repeated heavy infestations can stress the tree and make it vulnerable to other issues.
Can I just pick them off?
If the tree is small, you can handpick beetles or wash off larvae. For large, mature trees, this is not practical.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Siberian elm

Back to the Siberian elm guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.