Elm trees were once the favourite tree to plant in parks and along streets because they could grow to impressive heights with full and beautiful canopies that gave cooling shade in the summer and brilliant autumn colours in the fall. But when the Dutch Elm Disease (DED) hit North America in the 1920's the devastation was as complete as it had been in Europe. Sadly the magnificent elms of old became almost a memory for too many people as disease ravaged trees had to be chopped down and removed from parks and streets. Though other species of trees were tried to replace the elms it was always the hope that DED resistant elms could be found and have graftings or seeds taken so new disease resistant elm trees could be reintroduced to their former habitat.

Please click the button below to learn how to identify elm trees that have somehow survived DED and which therefore could be used to bring back the magnificent elm trees if clones can be made from the mother tree.