A Towering American Elm

During the past week, Uncle Tyler Dyer has been out searching for autumn leaves to add to his collection.  One of the species he had not encountered in previous outings was the American Elm (Ulmus americana), so he made a special trip to see a rare mammoth specimen in a small neighborhood park (Park Place) along Chestnut Street between 5th and Quince Streets in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

American Elm at Park Place in Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Possibly the largest and oldest remaining American Elm in the lower Susquehanna watershed, the Park Place tree in Lebanon exceeds 60 feet in height and may be more than 300 years of age.  In the nearly one hundred years since Dutch elm disease (DED) first began killing elms in eastern North America, this tree has been spared the fatal effects of the infection.  DED is caused by several species of microfungi (Ophiostoma ulmi, O. himal-ulmi, and O. novo-ulmi) spread by numerous bark beetle (Curculionidae) species.  As early as 1928, infected beetles arrived in the United States from the Netherlands among shipments of logs.
Leaves of the American Elm.
Leaves of the American Elm.

There’s still time to get out and see autumn foliage.  With warmer weather upon us—at least temporarily—it’s a good time to go for a stroll.  Who knows, you might find some spectacular leaves like these collected by Uncle Ty earlier this week.  All were found adorning native plants!

Winged Sumac
Winged Sumac (Rhus copallina), a small native tree.  In case you’re wondering, it’s not poisonous.
Black Chokeberry
Black Chokeberry (Photinia melanocarpa), a native shrub also known as Aronia.  It produces black-colored fruits in summer.
Red-osier Dogwood
Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea), a shrub that prefers wet or damp soils.  It yields white fruits.
Maple-leafed Viburnum
Maple-leafed Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), a native shrub of upland forest understories.
Highbush Blueberry
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), a native shrub and the source of many cultivated forms of the popular fruit.
To identify your finds, be certain to click the “Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines” tab at the top of this page to check out Uncle Ty’s extensive collection.