A new generation of elm trees could be equipped to beat the disease that killed the parents
Summary
Scientists in Vermont are working to save American elm trees from Dutch elm disease by injecting young trees with the disease spores to find ones that can resist it. The strong trees will be bred to grow more disease-resistant elms to restore forests and natural areas.Key Facts
- Dutch elm disease is a fungus that has killed tens of millions of American elm trees in the last century.
- The disease spreads through bark beetles and stops trees from taking up water, which kills them.
- Scientists injected 6,000 young elm trees with the disease to test which ones can survive.
- Surviving trees will be used in breeding programs to increase the number of disease-resistant elms.
- These trees will be grown in protected seed orchards for about 15 years to produce seeds for restoration.
- American elms help manage water in forests by absorbing rainfall and tolerating floods and cold winters.
- Saving these trees supports forest health, protects ecosystems, and helps fight climate change.
- Efforts to protect trees also address threats from other pests and diseases affecting U.S. forests.
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