Contributing writer — Michael Potts, GIS Specialist When we downloaded 120+ high resolution aerial images of Washington, D.C. from the United States Geological Survey, we were quite excited. Here we had a huge chunk of the city coming to life after more than 60 years. The images were taken on a bright and clear summer day: [...]
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The ‘Jefferson’ American Elm
Contributing Writer – Carol Herwig, Volunteer Coordinator The first elm to earn the name ‘Jefferson’ is on the National Mall near the Freer and Sackler Galleries. It stands out for its shape — it has the traditional vase shape, but with a more rounded crown than the typical American Elm — and its color — [...]
Read full postCultivars of the American Elm
‘Princeton’ elms near the White House. Why do we plant different cultivars of the American Elm? Surely there’s nothing quite like the original Ulmus americana. The classic American Elm is hardy, fast-growing and can grow into a healthy and aesthetically beautiful specimen with ease. However, the prevalence of Dutch elm disease (DED) since the middle [...]
Read full postHistory of the American Elm in the District
Contributing Writer – Carol Herwig, Volunteer Coordinator Lafayette Square in 1919. Photo by Martin Gruber. Since Washington, DC’s origin as the nation’s capital, trees were a key element in the plan. George Washington (a noted plantsman) and planner Pierre L’Enfant envisioned tree-lined streets and parks. Thomas Jefferson bemoaned the loss of native groves, and followed [...]
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