The more-orange-than-scarlet letter

I always notice trees. Maybe it’s because I have a forestry degree.

In my neighborhood, the more-orange-than-scarlet letter “A” marks elm trees with Dutch elm disease. I know we’re pretty lucky to have as many elms as we do, but the weather of the past several years has really hit our remaining elms hard. These pictures were all taken within two or three blocks of where I live… and this isn’t all of the marked elms.

Every year, fewer streets are shaded by arching elms, which turn even the most mundane street mysterious and lovely.

By the end of the summer, the trees in these pictures will all be gone…

“Well, sure trees are important, because otherwise the birds outside our windows aren’t up at my eye level!” -Mayhem

54 thoughts on “The more-orange-than-scarlet letter”

  1. I live in California’s hot, dry Central Valley and don’t think I’ve ever even seen Elms, but Gad! they are beautiful! And they take 60 years to mature? (I followed the link.) I hatehatehate it when trees go. We used to be surrounded by orange trees and spring always meant the scent of orange blossoms. Now people are LETTING THEM DIE so they can sell the property for houses. It breaks my heart.

    I agree with Tracey — tree topping is FOUL — lots of people around here do it. I want to knock on their doors and yell at them.

    What does a city-dwelling forestry graduate do?

  2. Its so sad to see such large trees go. I guess it is somewhat inevitable, letting a diseased tree remain only causes more problems, but it is still sad.

    Love all the black cat stuffy ou’ve been picking up. I need to find me some black dog paraphanlia.

  3. Spooky. I LOVE trees too and used to take loads of photos of different ones. Most people used to look at me like I was crazy or something 😉

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