Abstract
Saving Our Elms with GIS
Track: Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
Author(s): David Goldberg
The American elm has suffered catastrophic losses throughout its natural range in both Europe and America. Due to Dutch elm disease (DED), a parasite fungus spread by the feeding habits of the elm bark beetle and root grafting, these stately elms have disappeared from all but a few of today’s streets. A small group of volunteers have formed a shade tree association and are using GIS to help manage and protect one of these prized streets north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Lining Carlisle Street, a 1930s craftsman style development, remain over 160 American and English elms. Now over 90 feet tall, these elms are in danger of vanishing due to a recent outbreak of DED. Although expensive, managing the disease is possible with systemic injections and proper sanitation. Identifying the trees to be injected, pruned, removed, and replanted has been the challenge of this mapping initiative.
David Goldberg
Chatham University
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15232
United States
Phone: 412-365-1678
Fax: 412-365-2894
E-mail: dgoldberg@chatham.edu