Despite the fact that
their disease-resistance has not been developed by 
experimental procedures, Princeton
elms, which are true American elm (Ulmus americana) trees, are quite commonly
planted in communities throughout the country and are now available
from a number of nurseries.
In former decades, in Manchester and many other cities, American elms were planted closely adjacent to one another on both sides of city streets. In such cases, a "monoculture" of one type of tree, the elm, was created. As the elms achieved their maximum height, their vase-like configuration produced a striking canopy or "Gothic arch" above a street.
Manchester's new
elms, such as the Princeton elms shown here, are not 
arranged in the same fashion as was
seen in past decades, but instead are widely spaced. The changed
arrangement is a result of an awareness of the manner in which Dutch
Elm Disease is spread, i.e., by fungus-carrying bark beetles and root
annealings. Since a monoculture of closely planted elms provides
ideal conditions for the disease transmission, it has been/will be
carefully avoided.
In addition to the elm relatives and Princeton elms already planted in Manchester, additional spaces along Elm Street have been "reserved" for disease-resistant American elms developed by the U.S.D.A. laboratories, specifically, the Valley Forge and New Harmony varieties. No plantings have been scheduled for 2000, however, since there has been only limited availability of the U.S.D.A. trees, especially at a size appropriate for planting along the main street of a major city.