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It’s not as common for Dutch elm disease to affect other types of trees, especially if the surrounding trees aren’t elms. However, it is possible for DED to spread to other trees, particularly in northern states, like Minnesota. In fact, it’s a good idea to use geography to identify wood and determine which types of trees are in your yard. 

Unfortunately, the complex and shallow root system of elm trees makes surrounding elm trees particularly vulnerable to DED. Early discovery is key!

Whether you grind or dig up and remove your tree stump depends on your landscaping goals. Using a stump grinder leaves the root system in place for it to decompose over time, whereas digging up the tree stump removes the roots and the stump. Overall, stump grinding is a far simpler process since you won’t need to deal with the roots. Stump removal will make your yard look like a demolition site, but you’ll have an easier time replanting in the same place as your former tree.

Aside from removing dead or diseased branches, you should prune your trees somewhere between every one and three years. Some people—particularly commercial farmers—prune their apple trees yearly to produce higher yields. This is the best way to promote tree health. That said, the average homeowner can get away with hard-pruning their mature apple tree every other year or every three years. 

The amount of time it takes for a tree trunk to rot depends on several factors, including the tree’s size, species, and environmental conditions. It can take anywhere from a few years to several decades for a tree’s trunk to rot. A tree stump, on the other hand, can take up to 10 years to disappear after it’s decayed naturally.