Can I get seeds from an old strong Elm tree and plant my own? Are Elms male and female? When would I gather and plant? Do seedlings need protection from deer?

-- Susan in Northern Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), February 05, 2002

Answers

Elm trees- some varieties- were devastated by the Dutch Elm Disease not too long ago, and most were killed. One of the varieties unaffected is Winged Elm, which grows wild around here. I dont believe it grows to be really big, but if you really want one, I would be happy to send you a seeding or three, they grow all over the back of my property. You might want to research if that variety will make it in the north.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), February 05, 2002.

Kevin, what on earth are you doing up so late (early)? I thought I was the only nite-owl on the forum. Happy to know I'm not!! Anyway, I experienced the die off of the elms in the early and mid 60's. I grew up in East Lansing - home of Michigan State University. It was a sad day when they cut down all the old old elms that lined the boulevard down the only main street in town. There must have been a mile of them. My father had to have the one in our yard destroyed too. In fact the whole town was supporting the Tree Trimmer industry those years. :( The few trees left are lonesome ones way out in the country by themselves. They survive because of their isolation I believe. I keep eyeing them and wondering if I can get seeds from them. I would stop and ask, but prefer to get some more knowledge from countrysiders first.

I do not know about your variety. I can ask my brother who is a forestry major. But if I ask him, I need to be prepared for worst sceenario info, and I hate to listen to that. Anyway, your info is appreciated and I may take you up on your offer. I will, of course, pay any expenses and offer something in exchange. Let me ask my brother first. THANK YOU! Susan in Michigan

-- Susan in Northern Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), February 05, 2002.

Have always read that the species affected by the Dutch Elm disease was the "American Elm" and that other species such as Rock Elm, Slippery Elm, Chinese Elm, etc were not affected. And that the spread of the disease was greatly assisted by tbe proclivity of homo sapiens to plant a number of these trees together without interspersing other species. Then when the disease spread through the root systems it easily spread to another tree.

-- fred (fred@mddc.com), February 05, 2002.

Most all elms were affected by Dutch Elm. Here in Minnesota 'Chineese' elm was most resistant, while the American versions were most likely to get it. For the most part the smaller elm types were better able to resist it. Lost a lot in our grove, but some American & many Chineese survived. The Chineese would lose a branch or two, but the tree survived - odd.

--->Paul

-- paul (ramblerplm@hotmail.com), February 05, 2002.

There is a source of disease resistant trees. I'm not sure about all elms but I know slippery elm is also subject to the disease.

-- Darren (df1@infi.net), February 05, 2002.

I remember an elm that was standing in front of parents house in Baltimore as late as 1990 before it got hit. I recently cut one down that was way off in the country, but it too had finally been hit and died. Talk about tough to split wood!! Night owl, whoooo, me? I believe the winged elm should hit larger sizes- I saw some today that was 18 inches in dia. plus. Seems not to mind soil type, either. Not sure how cold resistant it would be.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), February 06, 2002.

Sorry to say, but Peterson's Field Guide to Trees shows a range map for winged Elm that doesn't look to go much farther north than zone six. Southern Indiana on the northern edge and out to Texas to the west. I miss winged Elms. We don't have them up here in the mountains, but when we lived down near Pittsboro NC they grew prolifically.

-- gilly (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), February 06, 2002.

I remember reading somewhere that some guy saved his elms from the disease by drilling holes that angled down into the trunk (they went to the core) all the way around and several rows up, then filled them with turpentine. He said the elm's natural cappilary action (sap channels) distributed the turpentine throughout the trees and saved them. Who knows, maybe he wasn't the only one who found a way to save his trees. Try looking for old hole scars.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), February 06, 2002.

There is a treatment that saves elm from Dutch Elm. It is rather expensive, & I believe needs to be repeated every so many years. It is expensive, so only for rich people with a good tree or 2.

As to splitting, elm can be some of the hardest to split, it's fibers are almost woven together! I think Rock elm is really bad, and locally there is something called 'pi$$-elm' that got it's name from how difficult it is to split - people just said ---- on it!

When cutting down dead trees from DED, be careful. The wood becomes very brittle, and just the vibration from a chainsaw can snap a limb off, falling on you. This is not to be taken lightly!

--->Paul

-- paul (ramblerplm@hotmail.com), February 07, 2002.

Yes that piss elm is AKA Siberian Elm, which has been known erronously as Chinese Elm. Siberian Elm has furrowed bark(Chinese Elm has smooth bark) and will grow about anyplace its dry, less suited to moist regions. We have one in our back yard here in SW Iowa. Suppose to be resistant to Dutch Elm.

-- fred (fred@mddc.com), February 07, 2002.

Recently 2 elm (american) species have been developed and are looking good for resistance to Dutch Elm Disease. As far as I know they will be released to nurseries with a year or two. As far as treating the disease is concerned, it is a fungal disease carried by the elm bark beetle. When the larva bore into the tree it carrys the fungus and thei clogs the vascular system of the tree. It can be treated with a product called Alamo, it is expensive, a case of 100 capsules wholesales for over $500. You have to microinject one cap for each 2" in diameter at breast hight.

Elm trees are also susceptable to a disease called elm yellows. Their is no known treatment for it.

-- Paul (treewizard@buffalo.com), February 09, 2002.