But it's possible, says Hansel, to maintain and restore pockets of elms through volunteer effort. For example, bringing back the elms along U.S. Route 1, the historic highway stretching from Florida to Maine. It was once a virtual, 2,200-mile avenue of elm trees. ERI has worked with such volunteer organizations as the Boy and Girl Scouts and local rotary clubs to bring elms into smaller communities. It's involved with elm restoration at Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and Princeton.
Nothing can change the character of a town faster than putting in a tree.
In the twin towns of Damariscotta and Newcastle, Maine, some 39 mature elms have been restored. The main element making the Liberty elm a success is an attachment to the American elm of old. We want to maintain a bridge to the past. In the meantime, whether we have Main Street or not, we have enough elms resembling their forbears to create that intergenerational link. Nicola Smith, who lives in White River Junction, Vt., is a regular contributor to American Profile.