American Elm, Ulmas americana, is a graceful tree often with a distinctive umbrella shape in larger specimens, which was once common in parks and along fence lines. Elm wood is tough and flexible, and keeps well in water so has been used to make wharves, boat frames, wheel hubs and spokes, hockey sticks, tool handles, furniture and panelling. It burns well for firewood but can be horribly difficult to split due to the gnarly fibrous quality that helps make it so strong.
Dutch Elm Disease is quite possibly one of the best-known tree disease of our area. As many people are aware, elm trees do persist in our landscape. Unfortunately, once they reach approximately 6 inches in diameter they become appealing to the Elm Bark Beetle. The Elm Bark Beetle is not the direct cause of tree mortality. It is the Dutch Elm Disease fungus that hitches a ride on the beetle that kills the tree.
Fortunately, the Elm Bark Beetle is quite lazy and will not fly long distances for food. Thus, many solitary elms or groves of elms still exist for us to enjoy. There are on-going studies looking for disease resist elm trees.
This elm tree has grown very well in its safe environment. It may be just far enough away from all other elms to be safe from Dutch Elm Disease. This cache is located within the road allowance please do not trespass, please view the tree from the road only.
Grey-Bruce Tree-O-Caching has been organized by the Bruce-Grey Woodlands Association to cultivate enjoyment, knowledge, and tree species identification of interesting/significant trees around Grey and Bruce counties. If there is good response, we will add a new series next year!