We finally confirmed we have an American Elm - a big one!

[Annsni]

Two and a half years ago after Sandy, I posted a thread asking about elm as firewood. It was suggested that our tree was an American Elm and I finally found out a couple of weeks ago that it IS!! The tree has been doing well and it was just too costly to cut it down so we left it but we had a new tree guy come in to give us a quote on grinding a large stump and he was floored when he saw the tree. He will be coming to do some trimming to open up the canopy so it will have less windage and will be good in the next 96 mph windstorm we have.

Here's the original thread and it has a couple of pictures:

How is elm for firewood?

[Danaus29]

Around here they get to be a really decent size then die from dutch elm disease. Sad situation. There's one behind my place that fell last winter and another dead one that needs to come down but it's not on my property, it'll fall there, but it's not there yet.

[Harry Chickpea]

If it is resistant and not just lucky, it could be an important tree. I remember our area of Vermont having been decimated by all the elms dying.

[Glacialtill]

Most of the elm trees that lined the streets of our town died ages ago, but there are a handful of huge ancient ones still around that are thriving. I can see one out our back window. I agree with H. Chickpea; you might have an important naturally resistant tree.

I read your initial thread and I'll quote Geo in MI here:

"If it really is an American Elm, of that size, you should definitely call your state forester or ag dept. They will want to take a look at it to see its genetics......Most of the American Elms I have seen since the 1950's have been only about twenty years old--and not that big--before dying off with the Dutch Elm Disease."

[Annsni]

Originally Posted by Glacialtill

Most of the elm trees that lined the streets of our town died ages ago, but there are a handful of huge ancient ones still around that are thriving. I can see one out our back window. I agree with H. Chickpea; you might have an important naturally resistant tree.

I read your initial thread and I'll quote Geo in MI here:

"If it really is an American Elm, of that size, you should definitely call your state forester or ag dept. They will want to take a look at it to see its genetics......Most of the American Elms I have seen since the 1950's have been only about twenty years old--and not that big--before dying off with the Dutch Elm Disease."

I'm on Long Island in NY. Who would I call? I have NO idea!

[Glacialtill]

You could start here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/27790.html

Give them a call and see what they say. They may have no interest or resources. Then again, they may be totally interested and they just got some funding.

I know researchers have been cloning resistant native trees. The seeds may be resistant as well.

[Annsni]

Originally Posted by Glacialtill

You could start here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/27790.html

Give them a call and see what they say. They may have no interest or resources. Then again, they may be totally interested and they just got some funding.

I know researchers have been cloning resistant native trees. The seeds may be resistant as well.

Thanks!! Will check it out.

[AmericanStand]

Sometimes Elms survive because they are isolated, But If this one is truly resistant Its seeds would be VERY valuable.

[Use Less]

Elm Research Institute. It may be late for this year to trim that elm. Open cuts can allow disease in. If I had such a treasure, I'd be very conservative about anything that could damage the tree.