Over the past twenty years, a team of scientists from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Forestry, under the leadership of Dr. Martin Hubbes, has been working on an exciting, new all-natural treatment for the prevention
of Dutch elm disease. The new treatment or "elicitor" does not work directly on the fungus causing Dutch elm disease. Instead, it stimulates the tree's own immune system. The treatment has a strong
protective effect because it activates the tree's natural defense response to Dutch elm disease.
Unique Discovery
The treatment is based on a special natural protein which was discovered by the University of Toronto scientific team as a result of intensive advanced molecular biology research. The protein elicits a defensive
response in the tree which enables it to resist the onset of the aggressive and deadly strain of Dutch elm disease. The treatment is unique because it is all natural - it contains no synthetic chemicals and is
non-toxic.
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How It Is Applied
ELMguard is an annual treatment applied to the tree in the spring. It is injected directly into the tree in either a liquid or pellet form through small holes drilled in the
tree's outer growth ring. After injecting ELMguard, a wax sealer is used to close the small holes. During the season, the tree then closes the hole naturally with new wood growth.
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How It Works
After the injection, the tree's vascular system absorbs the protein starting a series of defensive reactions.
These reactions include the production of mansonones and cell lignification (hardening). Mansonones are a naturally produced substance and play an important role in an elm tree's defense response against Dutch elm and
other diseases.
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Using ELMguard
ELMguard should be used as part of a comprehensive elm care program which promotes good health, proper sanitation (pruning) and the use of the elicitor to boost the tree's immune
response system.
ELMguard does not provide 100% protection against Dutch elm disease in all elm trees because of the simple fact that each elm is different. Just as each of us is genetically different from everyone else, the same is
true for wild elms. Therefore, each tree will react slightly differently to the treatment. Also, general health of an individual tree is a major factor in determining ELMguard's effectiveness.
For further information on ELMguard and other natural treatments for the control and prevention of Dutch elm disease, visit www.elmguard.com.
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