In the June 2011 newsletter, we provided a glimpse of the new elm protection strategy we will be employing going forward.  Here's more ...

SOE has been striving to maintain and expand the historic canopy in Ladd's Addition since 1995. During those years, we have followed a process by which we "injected" fungicide into the trees.  You may have seen the small micro-injector bottles inserted into the bases of the elm trees in past years. This approach provided an effective and affordable method of slowing the spread of Dutch Elm Disease (DED).

While SOE's efforts to date have clearly impacted the progression of DED, elm losses demonstrate that our past practices have lost effectiveness. Recent research from the Department of Agriculture and professional arborists indicates that micro-injection is less effective, over time, than we hoped.

Most professional arborists and municipal DED management programs have recently transitioned to using a "macro-infusion" process which injects a different fungicide into the trees' root flares using electric pumps. This fungicide and the pump equipment require State certification and specialized training. A professional arborist must mix the product and supervise its application.

Beginning with this spring's inoculation, we will target trees in the vicinity of recent elm losses with the new macro-infusion process. Due to the much higher materials and labor costs, our goal will be to treat a smaller number of trees on an annual basis - 15 to 20 - but with what we expect to be better results.

Volunteers will continue to be needed for this new process. Volunteers will help prepare the site the day before the inoculation by exposing the root flares on the trees to be treated. On the day of the inoculation, volunteers will help with needle placement, hose rigging, and supplemental monitoring of equipment.  Next quarter's newsletter will provide details regarding volunteering for the new injection process.  We hope you can help.