Elms

I have what I think is an American Elm. It's big. What should I know about such a tree? This one seems to have large roots that spread through the lawn's surface. Are they deep-rooted? It's probably been on the property for at leaset 50 years. If it were ever brought down by a storm it could take out the power lines but I don't think it endangers a house...Should I be looking for signs of disease?

Linda

We inherited 3 beautiful Am Elms and a tiny sapling when we bought our home 10 years ago. DED rampaged through our village and destroyed most of these great trees. Because of that, our Village takes a very proactive approach to culling any trees that appear to be infected. Neighbors on two sides of us have been forced to remove trees. I am not an expert, just have my own trees as my guide. Have an arborist come in and inspect your trees and give you their professional opinion. It's my understanding that available treatments are only marginally effective and merely prolong the inevitable. On the bright side, my trees are going strong in spite of their proximity to infected neighbors. And my little sapling has now cleared the power line and is marking out his territory in the upper canopy. I've heard that judicial pruning (by a certified arborist) only in late winter! and close attention to providing enough water go a long way to keeping the trees healthy and better able to fend off disease of all kinds. We've had them pruned every 3 or 4 years and have drip irrigation installed around them. We also mulch extensively and don't do any underplanting that would compete with the roots. But in the end, I think we just got some 'survivors' and have been fortunate. We'll be moving soon and I'll be passing their stewardship on to the next owner. Have to admit to a small feeling of relief at the thought! Good luck!

Thanks! Wow, that's a proactive approach! I have to admit that I think the tree never should have been planted in its current location, wrong spot for it. If it contracts DED then so be it. I can easily see a different tree there, one more in scale with the property. But as long as its healthy it can stay and make oxygen.

You are lucky to have them if they are infact American Elms...we have none that I know of in this area because of the beetle.

Are you both sure you have U. americana and not possibly U. rubra? U. rubra is also a native Elm but it has some resistance to DED and the range overlaps in your states. Just a thought. It's pretty easy to tell which is which if you have a book with images of the leaves in it. The leaves, although quite similar, are telltale however at this time of year it's best to feel the winter buds with your bare hands. Winter buds of U. rubra are generally ever so slightly pubescent (hairy) while winter buds of U. americana are generally glabrous.

Based on my personal experiences with U. americana, I would agree with this-

Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and Middlebury College here in Vermont are keeping some gigantic elms alive with some sort of treatment..... fungicides? Another way to check to see if you have U. rubra is to chew the twigs, slime producing then you have rubra......... good for a sore throat.

Great Falls Montana has all the main streets lined with Elm. They are spectacular specimens. Too Dry for the Fungus.

Braggart

As all of us we grew up with the American Elm the largest of the trees in our childhood. Then we all saw them leave this earth to go to the Arboretum in the Sky. I walk the streets of GF in the summer and smell the Elm and feel it rough bark. I relive my childhood by watching the squirrels running amock in its branches.

Equilibrium,

I will see what I can find out. Attached is a photo of one of the elms that use to grace our cow pasture. I don't think Montana is too dry for DED, you just don't have the vectors of the disease (European and American Elm Bark Beetles) there yet...... and I hope that you never do.

Fun picture of the window panes framing the tree. Interestingly enough, I've found that quite a few trees people think are American Elm are actually a different species... hence they are still standing. Mine is an American Elm and it is on its way to plant heaven right now. I was ok with that until I read what you mentioned about Dartmouth and Middlebury Colleges. Depending on what they are using, I might be very interested in following suit. The tree is beginning to succumb right now and set seed as if there was no tomorrow last year.

Hmmmm. U. americana vs. U. rubra. Good question. My trees were part of a large stand that spans what is now several people's yards. They were ID'd by the Village Forester -- but who knows. My town has been designated as an historical landmark for landscape, so I would hope he knew his stuff :) Too high for me to get at any buds. Will try the stem-chewing. Just need to wait for some snow to melt!

So, if they aren't U. americana, I've wasted 10 years of coddling on them! LOL!

Even if they are U.rubra, that doesn't make them any less desirable. All native elms are having to fight the same fight.

I checked some seeds -- every spring they drop a gazillion or two, so I knew I'd be able to dig one up out of the garage somewhere! The end of the seed capsule definitely has a split...I think the slippery elms are smooth at the end. Will still try the stem test though to better confirm.

There are a surprising number of large American elms that seem to be oblivious to DED. Who knows if they are resistant? Two at Spring Grove are spectacular. I don't know if they're being treated, but they are enormous and seemingly disease free. And there are still plenty of elms in the local woods. They live maybe twenty years and then contract DED and die. Fortunately, they flower and set seed much younger, so American elms will never completely go away. Perhaps, because they still reproduce (sometimes profusely) in the face of DED, they may develop some DED resistance on their own. One can hope.

Scott

This message was edited Feb 15, 2007 4:17 PM

Fortunately, it's a mistaken belief that there are no American elms (Ulmus americana) left, and especially of size. The Dutch elm disease has been quite nasty, and it took down the resident street trees of whole communities quite rapidly. But...this often was because the American elms planted along many streets and boulevards were clones, that is, genetically identical to one another. Therefore, if the pest took one, it took them all since none had any more or less resistance to the disease.

Thus sprang the concept (if not already in some right-thinkers' minds) that planting all identical plants, no matter how great thou art, is not such a smart idea. So, when asking for the perfect tree, think twice about planting another Red Sunset® red maple or Autumn Purple white ash or whichever is the overplanted (but perfectly fine otherwise) shade tree clone of your community.

Red or slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) may be masquerading as American elm, but as mentioned above is a perfectly fine tree in its own right. Unfortunately, it is pretty much just as susceptible to Dutch elm disease. For resistance, plant one of the Ulmus clones that's been researched and tested for this quality. Otherwise, you are just taking your chances.

For better long term efforts, report big old elm sightings to nurserymen and growers and be a proponent of keeping this species in public landscapes at least, and possibly available for children and grandchildren to plant for posterity.

I wish I had photos of the hundreds of 60-70 footers in Great Falls. They are healthy as a German Brautwurst with kraut.

VV, which of the DED-resistant varieties have you grown, and which do you recommend? I would really love to plant an ulmus or two, but have been scared off by the DED. Any sources you would recommend for healthy youngsters? I've looked around online a bit, at Botany Shop among other vendors, but always prefer to go with a nursery recommended by someone who's used them. Thanks for any help!

Sparta:

There is new research and trialing being done every day, so comments and performances are not static. You may do this already, but peruse on-line and check with your local universities and extension service staff for more recommendations that may fit your site and situations best.

It appears you are located in an axis of arboretum affluence......so close to Biltmore, Spartanburg, and the Mountain Horticultural Crops research center of NCSU...I ought to making a pilgrimage to you.

I have grown (ranked according to frequency/volume) the following American elm clones:

•'Valley Forge'
•'Princeton'
•'New Harmony'
•'Jefferson'

Other clones I've known (non-native hybrids developed for urban use):

•'Homestead'
•'Pioneer'
•'Frontier'
•'Patriot'
•'Prospector'
•'Accolade'

I acquire B&B shade trees at caliper (generally 2"/5 cm) size, so I won't be much help to you in mailorder sourcing. I do know that most all the elms I've purchased and planted establish quickly. That gets a very high rating for urban trees (or parks) where there isn't a heck of a lot of hands-on followup care.

VV:

Sadly, yes, I am certainly a mature specimen; but budget limitations have forced me to develop an appreciation for leafy youngsters (so much potential and promise...). Dearly wish I could plant 2" B&B trees, but suspect the mortgage company would not understand my need to buy trees instead of sending their payment; they have so little sense of humor...

We are fortunate here in western NC to have a great climate for gardening (other than with plants that like to be a bit dry). As a recent transplant to the area, I'm accustomed to doing my research online; but your suggestion to check with area arboretums is a great one, and thanks.

I've been trying to find a shade tree that could happily share the backyard with a large Black Walnut inherited with the property. I've noticed ulmus americana on several lists of juglone-tolerant plants; do you have any experience with or recommendations about the DED-resistant clones in this regard? If they are truly juglone-tolerant, they'd be an excellent choice for the site. Thanks again for the help and advice.

Mortgage companies...what do they know?

I have Juglans nigra growing here at the Valley, which came with the property. One reference text lists the following black walnut associates (besides American elm):

•Gymnocladus dioicus KY coffee tree
•Celtis occidentalis Common hackberry
•Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green ash
•Acer negundo Boxelder maple
•Acer saccharinum Silver maple
•Juglans cinerea Butternut
•Tilia americana Basswood
•Carya cordiformis Bitternut hickory
•Cercis canadensis Redbud
•Morus rubra Red mulberry
•Crataegus spp. Hawthorn

I can tell you from personal experience though: Trees don't read books. They don't log in at DG either. There's no better answer than seeing plants coexisting with your own eyes in your own general neighborhood to understand some of these relationships.

I have all of the above (except basswood and butternut). Additional species that are growing here at the Valley together with black walnut include:

•Euonymus atropurpureus Eastern wahoo
•Viburnum prunifolium Blackhaw
•Viburnum rufidulum Rusty blackhaw
•Fraxinus americana White ash
•Fraxinus quadrangulata Blue ash
•Robinia pseudoacacia Black locust
•Catalpa speciosa Catalpa
•Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Coralberry
•Juniperus virginiana Eastern juniper (red cedar)
•Populus deltoides Eastern cottonwood
•Prunus serotina Black cherry
•Platanus occidentalis Sycamore
•Nyssa sylvatica Blackgum
•Quercus macrocarpa Bur oak
•Quercus shumardii Shumard oak
and the classic tire-and-people-friendly
•Gleditsia triacanthos Common honeylocust

If I was to scour around the property instead of just looking out the window...I could probably divine a half dozen (6) more. But you were asking about elms.

I don't believe the DED resistance factors into walnut compatibility. If you were to check out distribution maps for where elms and walnuts occur, they are coincidental. These are plants that "grew up" together.

NOTE: I would venture that there IS some relationship in these associations as to whether a walnut seed and an elm seed hit the ground around the same time and sprouted and grew together (versus a nice big old walnut already firmly ensconced in its juglone soup, and then an interloping elm gets introduced to the situation).

Sounds like we need a grad student to do a thesis project...

In Lake Forest Illinois, there are quite a few still lining the streets. Many of which have not been treated. I suspect at least some of these American Elms may have resistance to DED.

I do agree that there are many DED resistant Elm introductions out there that should be planted and quite a few have American Elm dna. I’ve purchased some of mine from the Botany Shop mentioned above by spartacusby and am pleased with them.
Why I am particularly fond of the Liberty Elm-
http://www.elmpost.org/liberty.htm

I do believe U. rubra may have some resistance based on many I have seen at Kettle Morraine State Park in Wisconsin that are still standing in and amongst their cousins that have succumbed. Conflicting opinions of the resistance of elms to the primary infection and subsequent disease development will exist however there are too many U. rubra standing seemingly unaffected in that State Park for me to not wonder if they don't have some resistance. Now granted, resistant doesn’t mean immune. Have you other experiences with U. rubra down by you VV?

I had a little bit of time to surf. I rediscovered a really neat site that I’ve run across before that might be of interest to some-
http://www.landscapeelms.com/

http://na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_ded/ht_ded.htm

Hey spartacusaby, maybe you do want to try some Ulmus rubra, based on these websites I stumbled onto

http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/ja/ja_schlarbaum002.htm

Oops, sorry 'bout that, typing while you were :o)

Oops, typing when you were typing. Nice sites.

Now that's funny!

why thank you, thank you very much.........

Great list of species theoretically compatible with juglans nigra; thanks, VV! Had seen many of them on lists I'd found online, but some are new. The logic is compelling in your theory that seedlings planted in the same time period may be more compatible than trying to establish a new tree near a long-standing juglans. Wish we knew a likely grad student... By that logic, any of the supposedly compatible species might have a hard time moving into a juglans' neighborhood, not just a new ulmus; which of course puts me back to square one trying to plant there. Frustration...

"Trees don't read books:" what wonderful images that brings to mind. I'm picturing a grand old quercus, bifocals slipping down the trunk, perusing a book of verse. Somehow I'm sure Joyce Kilmer would not head the bestseller list; likewise "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," with its homage to ailanthus...

I've considered ulmus rubra, terryr, and thanks for the thought. Guess I'm drawn to the DED-resistant clones because the site near the juglans nigra would already pose challenges; would like to give the tree the best possible chance of making it.