There's hope for a new American elm tree

The majestic American elm (Ulmus Americana) was down, but it wasnever out. And today, rising like a phoenix from the ashes of Dutchelm disease, elms are beginning to appear in nurseries, on landscapeplans and in streetscapes once again.

Dutch elm disease entered the United States around 1930 on ashipment of elm logs from Europe. By the 1950s the fungus wasspreading rapidly; by the 1970s American elms were on their way tobecoming a bittersweet memory.

So prevalent is the disease that the tree is now inextricablylinked to its nemesis. It's not uncommon to hear someone refer to anAmerican elm as a "Dutch elm," so accustomed are we to hearing thetree and the disease …