When I was a kid, my grandfather built a treehouse for me in an old elm tree
(American Elm). Many hours of my youth were spent in that beautiful old
tree. Years later the tree was overtaken by Dutch elm disease.

I've planted three elm trees in my yard (two lacebarks and one cedar elm),
but after checking around my neighborhood of about 300 homes, I can't find a
single elm tree anywhere. My neighborhood is only 3-6 years old. I see
them used quite often in the commercial environment, but in newer
residential neighborhoods they are extremely hard to find.

It seems many people don't understand the great attributes these trees have
as shade trees. Are there any of you out there who have come to this same
conclusion? Does anyone have any elm tree stories (good or bad)?