(White Elm, Water Elm)
Ulmus americana
The University of Vermont
 Last remaining Elm tree on the southern end of the UVM green |
Family: Ulmaceae Height: 75 - 100+ feet Diameter: 2 - 4 feet Range: Eastcoast to Midwest, Mainly in Appalachain Mountains. stays mostly in bottom lands that are not swamplands as well as stream valleys at higher elevation. Rarely grows above 2000 feet. Rainfall: ranging from 15" to 150" annually Soil Types: well-drained sands, organic bogs, undifferentiated silts, poorly drained clays, prairie loams, and many intermediate combinations. Preferred soils are well drained loams. Identification: -Bark: Light grey with deep furrows. |
A Historic Giant
The historic
American Elm's overall genus contains about 45 species of trees over
the Northern Hemisphere. There are six species native to North America
and five exotics that are commonly planted, some of which have become
naturalized to their new habitats. Common characteristics of Elms are
Alternate, simple deciduous leaves that are lancolate to obovate with a
short petiole. Twigs are slender and stout, many times growing in a
distinctive zigzag formation. The bark is also a good
characteristic in that it is often corky and multicolored with deep
furrows. The Elms are for the most part, rather tolerant trees grown
commonly all over North America for their great shade characteristics
and elegant vase-like shape. Historically American Elms were left in pastures for their great shade giving qualities but also for the reason that their wood was relatively worthless due to its resistance to splitting or milling any sort of quality product. The American Elm is however one of the most common ornamental plantings because it has some of the best of the Elm family's elegant qualities, making it an integral part of American history in the 19th and 20th centuries.
"By the 1920's the tree had become an almost universal element of the American urban landscape. A survey in 1937 revealed that more than 25million American elms embowered the cities, towns and suburbs of the nation. Sacramento had as many elms as did New Haven Ct.; Dallas had six times as many elms as Boston and Dubuque, Iowa, had more elm trees than elm-rich Springfield, MA. Ulmus americana had truly become worthy of the name. Collectively, America's elms formed the most expansive urban forest ever planted, a verdant parasol soaring above the quotidian, casting it in a dappled and flattering light. And in the process, the trees defined one of America's most storied and archetypal places - Elm Street" (Campanella)
 |
Close up of American Elm bark |
End of an Era
Like a ghost from an earlier era, One of
the two great Amerlican Elms left on the UVM campus (pictured
above)reminds us of the way the UVM campus and city of Burlington once
looked before the ravages of the Dutch Elm Disease. The disease
removed roughly 90% of Burlington's and UVM's stately American Elms
between the 1960's and 1980's. The disease was imported in
infested logs from Europe where the disease had already decimated a
large Elm population. Originating from Asia, the Dutch Elm
Disease actually performs a valuable service to Asian forests by
culling the weaker trees. Over a long period of adaptation to our
New England ecosystem it may someday perform the same service.
Further damage from the 1998 ice storm left many of the Burlington's trees stripped of large portions of their crowns. UVM's last two elms were no exception. Today the American Elm on the campus green now stands as one of the most important historical trees on the green, reminding us of what the green used to look like with its stately corridors made up of the vase shaped elm trees.
The original American Elms were planted on the green by UVM students. With a history of informal beautification projects on the green, students planted several rows of elms for the national centennial celebrations in 1876. The planting of the Elms would define the historical era of the green in which UVM would become nationally renowned for its natural beauty. Dating back to the earliest days of UVM's campus in the late 18th century, the green has played an integral role in uniting students, faculty and the city of Burlington. For a more in depth view of the history of the UVM green, see professor Kit Anderson's article on the UVM green in Vermont Quarterly entitled "Ira's Acres: Clearing in the wilderness to park in the city, 210 years in the life of the UVM green".
In this view of the West side of the green in 1870 we can see several elms lining the green and College streeet down to Burlington.
Here a photo taken of the southern end of the green in 1930 shows a few more of the elms with an especially good example on the far left.
Elm lined University Avenue with Ira Allen Chapel and Billings Library in the background in 1927
Another nice example of the wonderful shade qualities of the Elm lined campus, this time looking across the green at Waterman in possibly the 1940's or 50's.
Hope for the Future:
Much scientific research has been done on resistance to the Dutch elm Disease. Several new varieties have been found that retain many of American Elm's elegant qualities such as the Liberty Elm and Chinese Elm to name a few. It is also important to realize the danger of planting our greens and streets with single species. The devastation of towns all over North America by the Dutch Elm Disease demonstated how an ecosystem that has very little diversity of species is extremely vulnerable to diseases. The diverse nature of the UVM green, while not providing the same elegant look, does provide a natural immunity to such diseases through diversity.
Sources:
Preston, Richard J. JR. (1989) North American Trees. Iowa State University Press.
Campanella, Thomas. (2003) Republic of Shade; New England and the American Elm.
Yale University.
Richens, R.H. (1983) Elm. Cambridge University Press.
Chevallier, Andrew. (1996) Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley Limited, London.
Bey, Calvin F. Ulmus Americana. http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_2/ulmus/americana.htm Last accessed 4/27/04.
Photos from the UVM special collections UVM Green Exhibit. #'s 1-5, 1-47, 1-48
Site constructed by Daniel Cockerline
4/27/04
Further damage from the 1998 ice storm left many of the Burlington's trees stripped of large portions of their crowns. UVM's last two elms were no exception. Today the American Elm on the campus green now stands as one of the most important historical trees on the green, reminding us of what the green used to look like with its stately corridors made up of the vase shaped elm trees.
The original American Elms were planted on the green by UVM students. With a history of informal beautification projects on the green, students planted several rows of elms for the national centennial celebrations in 1876. The planting of the Elms would define the historical era of the green in which UVM would become nationally renowned for its natural beauty. Dating back to the earliest days of UVM's campus in the late 18th century, the green has played an integral role in uniting students, faculty and the city of Burlington. For a more in depth view of the history of the UVM green, see professor Kit Anderson's article on the UVM green in Vermont Quarterly entitled "Ira's Acres: Clearing in the wilderness to park in the city, 210 years in the life of the UVM green".
In this view of the West side of the green in 1870 we can see several elms lining the green and College streeet down to Burlington.
Here a photo taken of the southern end of the green in 1930 shows a few more of the elms with an especially good example on the far left.
Elm lined University Avenue with Ira Allen Chapel and Billings Library in the background in 1927
Another nice example of the wonderful shade qualities of the Elm lined campus, this time looking across the green at Waterman in possibly the 1940's or 50's.
Hope for the Future:
Much scientific research has been done on resistance to the Dutch elm Disease. Several new varieties have been found that retain many of American Elm's elegant qualities such as the Liberty Elm and Chinese Elm to name a few. It is also important to realize the danger of planting our greens and streets with single species. The devastation of towns all over North America by the Dutch Elm Disease demonstated how an ecosystem that has very little diversity of species is extremely vulnerable to diseases. The diverse nature of the UVM green, while not providing the same elegant look, does provide a natural immunity to such diseases through diversity.
Sources:
Preston, Richard J. JR. (1989) North American Trees. Iowa State University Press.
Campanella, Thomas. (2003) Republic of Shade; New England and the American Elm.
Yale University.
Richens, R.H. (1983) Elm. Cambridge University Press.
Chevallier, Andrew. (1996) Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley Limited, London.
Bey, Calvin F. Ulmus Americana. http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_2/ulmus/americana.htm Last accessed 4/27/04.
Photos from the UVM special collections UVM Green Exhibit. #'s 1-5, 1-47, 1-48
Site constructed by Daniel Cockerline
4/27/04