Economy Plays Havic with Shade Trees, Princeton Elms as well!

Allee of Princeton Elms, Washington Road, NJ

The Economy is playing Havic with the Tree Market.  Shade Tree sales are down over 50% from last year and not a popular item as construction across the nation is slow.  Growers from around the country have been dumping trees at extremely depressed prices and there is no change in sight.  The only trees that seem to be selling are the smaller ornamental (Blooming or colorful leafed) trees in sizes down from previous years.  These are the home owners going out and buying a 7gal or 10gal Redbud tree or Crapemyrtle. 

Growers alike are not planting like they have in the past years.  If a company spent $20,000.00 on new liners each year, they may be spending from $0 to $5000 at the most.  This is a sad state of affairs. 

The Princeton American elm has not been immune to this either.  Since the Princeton Elm is a shade trees, sales and new liners in the ground has dropped off.  Even with the need of DED resistant Elms and the Emerald Ash Bore Spreading to more and more counties and States, the Princeton Elm sales are flat.

City and Park budgets have been cut with the taxes coming in less which means less projects for the cities.

Home Owners have had to buckle down and put off buying a new home and renovations have been minimal.  The Commercial construction sector has also be hit hard and large Shade trees where installed on most all of these type of projects. 

Another component that affects the Princeton Elm is the Education factor.  With less people needing shade trees overall, less people are researching or looking for the tree.  This is industry wide from the Landscape Architect to the Landscaper, Grower and the Home owner.  

What is ahead of us???

No one really knows, but I am sure in time the Princeton Elm and other shade trees will be back in full force.  I just hope it is sooner rather than later!   

Allee of Elms - Creating a Princeton Elm Allee

Scripps College in California

with a planting of 8" Princeton

American Elms to recreate

the lost Allee they once had

for many graduating classes!

Did you ever wonder how those beautiful Allee of trees where created? People with a lot of for sight wanted to create the classical European Cathedral look to the landscape and cities they lived in. This was typical during the 1800's as cities poped up and streets and towns where developed. They needed trees that would grow fast and transplant easy and give them the overhanging canopy look. The American Elm fit this need and was used extensively. This practice has been going on until the early 60's.

Princeton American Elms

Along Washington Road

In NJ, on the way to

Princeton University Planted 1920's

When DED (Dutch Elm Disease) entered into the US around 1933, millions of American elms where killed. This spread throughout the US and by the 1960's people moved away from the Elms and started planting Ash, Oak and Maples. These trees too had their problems. They did not transplant well, slow growers or did not have the classical American elm look like the Princeton elm did.

Typical Street Planting

of American Elms.

Notice how close to the sidewalk

the trees can be planted.

This is attest to their deep

root systems.

Today as the American Elm is returning to the landscape due to propagation techniques and DED resistance, many street scapes are being replanted with the American Elm. With trees like the Ash being eliminated by emerald ash bore, the American Elm is getting looked at again. If you have thought about your community or property getting involved in the Return of the American Elm, then try the Princeton Elms. You will not be unhappy and with the fast growth rate, you will not have to wait to possible see an Allee of elms in your lifetime.