Elm yellows occurs in the eastern United States, and southern Ontario in Canada.

[3] Infection and death of the phloem effectively girdles the tree and stops the flow of water and nutrients.

Penn State University is home to one of the oldest and largest elm stands in the country.

[citation needed] In North America the disease is transmitted from infected to healthy trees by the whitebanded elm leafhopper (Scaphoideus luteolus Van Duzee), the meadow spittlebug (Philaenus spurarius) and by another leafhopper (Allygus atomarius), although other insects are also suspected of being vectors.

[citation needed] The crown, top of the tree turns yellow all at once, it can occur from July till September, when the leafhoppers are active.

Injecting trees with tetracycline antibiotics has been shown to slow the progress of elm yellows.