Question
We planted our lacebark elm tree 5 years ago.  Something is wrong with it, and we don't know what!!  All the leaves turned brown in a matter of two days, and the bark around the trunk is all peeling off.  We have had a really dry summer with lots of heat, but we have recently had rain.  We water our trees on a regular basis. Ibroke a couple of small branches off, and there is still green in them.  Please help

Answer
Kym:
Take a close look at the base of the trunk in the area of bark peeling and see if there has been any evidence of injury.  Stringtrimmers and lawnmowers can cause irreversable damage. I do not suspect a bona fide infectious disease, rather some external stress.
Steve