American Elm, White Elm 'Valley Forge'

This is probably the most resistant cultivar so far in America to the Dutch Elm Disease of the American Elm. A number of cultivars were f...Read Moreound by injecting trees showing resistance to the Dutch Elm Disease with the fungus. Those that still survived were evaluated and selections made. There is some work going on by the Nature Conservancy to find resistant trees where they can breed naturally so as not have cultivars. I have noticed both in the Chicago area and in the Philadelphia area that a number of big, old American Elms are still alive and thriving, maybe 1/10th of 1% of how many there used to be.

There are now a few cultivars with proven tolerance for Dutch Elm Disease. Controlled testing shows this is one.

Classic A...Read Moremerican elm vase-shaped habit.

Suitable for specimen use where there's enough space. Space at least 50' apart. Mature height is 60-80' or greater.

Pest and disease issues suggest that the mass planting of a single cultivar is inadvisable.

I am concerned over the extreme vigor of this lovely tree. I had spoken many times with Mike Shade, the owner of The Botany Shop, and he ...Read Morehad me topping and then eventually lopping the entire tree down, due to a loss of the main leader, and then to avoid top heavy growth at the expense of trunk circumference.

My lopping was the final straw for these beauties, sad to report.
Mike just sent me two new Valley Forges to regrow, the central
leader looks fine. I will call him and determine if he would want me
to continue to top the leader after about a months growth.

I do plan on triple staking these beauties, as it is July here and not too much time left in our growing zone.

I have much hope for these two shining stars. I know my DH and I won't be around to see them tower and bestow magnificent shade and cathedral effects to our farm, but our wish is for the continuance and regrowth of a gorgeous and majestic tree, to be enjoyed by future generations here on the farm, and the neighborhood.