Dutch Elm Disease (DED) is a fungal infection spread both from tree to tree among the American elm (Ulmus americana) and by elm bark beetles. The sickness affects the vascular systems of the trees, causing wilt visible at the crown of the canopy, and travels from the roots to the leaves. The blight has devastated the number of American elms on the East Coast and nearly left them extinct.
ESE first enlisted the help of C.L. Frank and Company, an arborist and landscaping firm from Northampton, Mass., in 1990. The goal was to treat the population of American elm trees at the fairgrounds with Arbortec. During this process, specialists extract the base of a tree from the ground, inject a fungicide into the root flair via a snaking system of tubes and plugs to allow the chemical to course through the tree. By 1994, all 11 American elm trees on the fairgrounds were being treated, but five showed signs of infection.
In August of 1994, ESE elected to have an infected tree in front of the Brooks Building removed to prevent the spread of DED. Soon after, C.L. Frank resorted to trenching trees in hopes of improving their condition. This process included light fertilization and watering to improve soil health.
Until recently, there was only one surviving American elm at ESE, located to beside Potter Mansion in Storrowton Village Museum. It is treated annually by Northern Nurseries of West Suffield, Conn., and studied by those who attend ArborEXPO, a tree care industry gathering that occurs at ESE each March.
The two new American elm trees were planted on the ESE campus. There is now a Patterson elm on the New England Grange building lawn near the Avenue of States, and there is a Valley Forge elm in front of the Potter Mansion, opposite the existing elm tree.
“Behind me is the last elm tree on our fairgrounds,” said Cassidy. “It was planted about 75 years ago, and it is an American elm. Eastern States Exposition has spent the last 40 years keeping it healthy. It is uninfected by Dutch Elm Disease. Today we are adding more American elms to the property in celebration of Arbor Day and America 250, the anniversary of our nation.”
The Valley Forge American elm was selected for Storrowton as a tribute to Captain John Potter, the previous owner of the relocated historic mansion, who served in the Revolutionary War. This cultivar was named to honor the resilient General George Washington and the Continental Army that defended the United States of America in its most infantile state as a nation, because this variety of elm is resistant to Dutch Elm Disease.
These trees were sourced from our arboreal partners at Northern Nurseries, and the delivery was coordinated by Anthony Yacovone Jr. of ESE’s Operations department.
“Dutch Elm Disease killed more than 80% of the elm trees in this area,” said Yacovone. “I’m happy we could bring some back today.”
As the home of the fourth largest fair in North America, ESE takes pride in promoting American heritage and culture, so the country’s 250th anniversary is certainly at the forefront of the organization’s efforts this year. ESE was proud to find a way to connect history and agriculture in the spirit of Arbor Day this year.