American Elm: A Survival Story

American Elm: A Survival Story. . , This large elm survived a devastating epidemic., Not all of the trees in this collection are conifers. Like NYBG's other gardens, this collection was designed to complement the natural landscape and its native trees. The cultivated conifer collection grows among native trees, including maples, hickories, oaks, and elms., The American elm (Ulmus americana) straight ahead towers more than 100 feet and is more than a century old. It is a rare survivor of Dutch elm disease. The deadly fungal infection has killed approximately 75% of North American elms since it was unintentionally introduced to the United States in a shipment of lumber from Europe in the 1930s. Once found shading city streets across the country, elms largely disappeared from towns throughout the Northeast and Midwest., To prevent the loss of more elms, NYBG's gardeners and arborists inspect regularly for wilting yellow leaves, the first sign of infection. Horticulturists have developed disease-resistant cultivars such as 'Valley Forge' and 'Princeton' to replace lost elms in parks and streets.