Many of you have probably steered clear of planting American elm trees in your yards, due to their susceptibility to Dutch elm disease. But did you know that alternatives do exist? Steve Nix, About's Forestry Guide, gives you a couple of alternatives to ponder in this article, including Chinese elm trees.
If you have your heart set on recapturing a piece of early 20th-century America, Chinese elm trees may not cut it for you. In their heyday, American elm trees lined the city streets of many a town in North America. I've seen the vintage photos that prove this assertion. What a beautiful sight it must have been! I can think of nothing that would say "Americana" better, nothing that would better give a place that "Ah, my hometown!" feel.
Happily, tree geneticists have cloned new strains of American elms that are resistant to Dutch elm disease. So if you wish to remain "authentic" and are seeking an alternative to Chinese elm trees, look for names such as "Valley Forge" and "New Harmony" when shopping for elm trees.
Read article: American Elm Trees
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