John, in my part of the world, Siberian elm is pretty much considered a "junk tree". I have seen a few decent-looking specimens, but the majority feature crowns that in mid-summer appear to consist primarily of dead branches.

Anyway, my understanding is that this tree does its best in drier climates. Maybe that's what you have. In any case, why not give them just a little more time to leaf out. Once you're sure the whole tops are dead on them, it will be decision time. The decision then will be to start over or to cut back to just the basal sprouts, eventually training one of them to take over.

Let us know what happens.

+oM

I would suggest mowing them down and to continue mowing until they stop coming back. ;)

horrible.. horrible ... invasive trees ...

i hate them with a passion of a million burning suns ...

check out the link for what happened to thousands of them during the last ice storm in my county ... and if they are within 100 feet of the house.. please consider a better tree .. because they WILL FALL DOWN.. in pieces.. over time ... but if they are out in the back 40.. who cares ...

i have a couple million seedlings available.. from the neighbors weed trees.. should you want/need some more ...

ken

ps: my feelings aside.. lol .. NEVER leave dead stuff on a tree .. proper pruning is ALWAYS proper ... and at worst.. just leave them for a few more weeks.. to see if those parts are really dead ...

pps: i also have some oak seedlings around .. and if you promise to kill these.. i will send you the oaks ...

Here is a link that might be useful: link