Young elm trees at the St. Paul campus elm tree nursery
Background
MITPPC ranks Dutch elm disease as one of the most critical invasive pathogen threats to Minnesota. Caused by the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, it has decimated the American elm in urban Minnesota, a tree known for its elegant form, full canopy, and winter hardiness. As cities also contend with the widespread loss of ash to emerald ash borer, there is a need for new trees to fill the gap.
Researchers have been studying surviving elm trees in the region with the goal of understanding their natural resistance to Dutch elm. This work will screen for disease resistance traits on the path towards developing a winter-hardy Dutch elm-resistant variety. Team members aim to return native elm species back to the Minnesota landscape.
Research questions
- What elm trees are disease-resistant?
- How can we best propagate resistant elms?
- What are the best methods to reintroduce resistant elms to the Minnesota landscape?
Practical implications
This work will produce new native elm varieties with a high level of resistance to Dutch elm disease, returning these magnificent trees back into our urban and forest landscapes.
Historically, elm has also been an important species in floodplain forests. Their loss has opened some sites to invasion by other plants, such as reed canarygrass. Restoring them could help prevent these kinds of opportunistic invasions.
Publications
Coming soon
News and media
- Minneapolis woman saves 200-year-old elm destined for chopping block (Star Tribune, 2020)
- Undergraduate researcher Katie Connolly describe doing soil analysis work for elm restoration at home during COVID-19 (video, 2022)
- A Guide to Elm Trees (HGTV, 2020)
- Elm Selection Project (The Urban Forestry Outreach and Research Nursery and Lab)
- Meet the Researcher: Ben Held (MITPPC)