There are still a few out there...

[Jeff]

I notice these trees every time I travel on M-48 towards Pickford not far from our property. There are a few more here and there along the route.

Can you tell what they are by the form? Very distinctive. 

 

[thurlow]

El-lum? 

[Ron Scott]

American Elm

[Texas Ranger]

yup

[Jeff]

I love that view as were driving by. Those are some pretty good size trees as they are half way across the section and still look big. I had zoom all the way up on the camera to get the shots.   

[Tom]

Something told me they weren't cypress.

[WDH]

Pretty nasty wood to tame, but beautiful trees.

[OneWithWood]

Yep.  American Elm and by the size of those I would say enjoy them while you can because they aren't long for this world. 

[Jeff]

OWW, I think those trees will stand quite awhile longer. There are others in the area as well that stand out in those open fields like that. I think that is the natural barrier to the beetles and root grafting. That protects them and I bet that is why they are still there.

[SwampDonkey]

On the farm we had a brook with elm and butternut lining the banks. The elm have mostly died the last 20 years. Butternut are still there though. I found 4 seedlings today where I stuck some nuts into the ground a couple years ago. Buried more last fall. The neighbor had one 11.5 feet in circumference at 6 feet above ground. We measured above a big burl. Pics in the 'So, How big you want'm' thread.   I see new elm trees establishing on my lot. All kinds of elm around, but mostly very young trees. I have two about 50 feet tall in the back of the house lot. I'd like to try some elm lumber.  I've turned bowls with my grandfather's elm wood from his front lawn. I used 2 in one epoxy to keep the wood semi-stable, turned it green.

[Dodgy Loner]

We're pretty lucky here in the South.  Dutch elm disease doesn't seem to be as prevalent here as it is farther north.  I think it's because our most common elm, by far, is winged elm, which is resistant to the disease.  American elm is just an occasional tree, usually found along river bottoms with other hardwood species, and I've seen many impressive specimens over the years.  Its scarcity may be what's protected it for so long.