Liberty Elm History

07/31/06

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I grew up on such a street.
When I returned
from the war....

... the same street looked
like this, a shattered dream!

That's when I founded ERI.
Let's work together to return this
legacy to Main Street America... John P. Hansel

History of Dutch Elm Disease

The American elm once stood as a graceful sentinel on almost every street and square across our nation. Until a few years ago, it was in danger of becoming a memory, the victim of Dutch elm disease (DED).

Discovered in the Ohio River Valley, 1932 DED became know as the "cancer" of the tree world. In the early years the fungus spread unchecked, borne from tree to tree by clouds of tiny, windblown beetles. It destroyed over 100 million elms, many of them dating from the 1700s. Efforts were wasted in frantic "cut and burn" campaigns. With no programs to save the American elm, it was up to private citizens to prevent this great tree from going the way of the chestnut. Elm Research Institute stepped in to combat DED and restore elms to the American landscape.

What is The Elm Research Institute?

ELM RESEARCH INSTITUTE, a non-profit organization, was established in 1967 to rally support from the private sector for D.E.D. research. Through grants and membership dues, E.R.I. research led to the development of a preventive injection for American elms and the introduction of the disease-resistant AMERICAN LIBERTY ELM.

ELM RESEARCH INSTITUTE
A Non-Profit Organization Dedicated To Restoring The American Elm
11 Kit Street, Keene, NH 03431 * 603-358-6198 * Fax 603-358-6305
info@elmresearch.org

This site was last updated 02/23/06