Program donates American Liberty elms

The Elm Research Institute (ERI) in Keene, N.H., gave away Liberty elms this summer as part of its Liberty Tree Memorial program.

ERI donated a 10-foot tree to communities that agreed to plant it in a public place, approved by ERI; protect it with a permanent fence; place a bench next to the tree; install a free plaque provided by ERI at the site; commemorate the tree with a ceremony; and arrange for the continuing care of the tree.

ERI’s American Liberty elm is a group of six genetically different cultivars. All six look like classic, old-fashioned American elms, said John Hansel, director of the program. “Having six cultivars in the series is insurance against all the elms being wiped out by any disease or problem, even one that might show up in the future. ERI mixes all six cultivars in its shipments,” he said.

The American Liberty elm is resistant to Dutch elm disease.

In the 18 years since the tree’s introduction, ERI has confirmed less than 100 cases of DED among the 250,000 Liberty elms.

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For more: ERI, (800) 367-3567; www.libertyelm.com.