A new generation of elm trees could be equipped to beat the disease that killed the parents

Dutch elm disease, which has wiped out tens of millions of elm trees over the past century in the United States, is now being harnessed to help restore these iconic trees. In Vermont, a team of scientists from the U.S. Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy Vermont is testing the resilience of 6,000 young elms to the disease.

They have injected the spores into the trees to gauge their resistance, with the survivors to be used in a breeding program aimed at boosting the genetic diversity of disease-tolerant elm trees. These resilient young elms, sourced from a few dozen trees in the Northeast that have survived the disease, will eventually be used for restoration in forests, riverbanks, and backyards.

The disease, a fungus spread by bark beetles that blocks a tree's ability to absorb water, has led to a significant decline in towering elms, which were once prevalent in New England. By developing disease-resistant elms, scientists hope to combat this loss and contribute to broader efforts to protect forests from pests and diseases, which threaten industries like logging and harm fragile ecosystems.

Dutch elm trees play a crucial role in maintaining the hydrology of their ecosystems, making them particularly valuable in the context of climate change. They are adept at tolerating flooding and cold winters, and act as natural sponges after rainfall, helping to prevent devastating flooding in river systems.