Walking in the Footsteps of Giants: Selecting, Cloning, and Screening Minnesota-Native Elms for Dutch Elm Disease Resistance

Abstract

Since 2004, the UMN Urban Forestry Outreach Research (UFOR) Lab has performed research on thirty-two Minnesota-native elms for possible DED-resistance and identified seven new American and rock elm selections from the West Metro and eighteen new rock and red elm selections from Kandiyohi County for cloning, production, and inoculation research. Modified cloning and production practices enhance clonal root production and reduce transplant stress and failure. Additionally, UFOR researchers increased production of grafted trees to test rootstock-scion compatibility and implemented a replicated pruning study of juvenile clones to improve tree form and structure for long-term health and success. In 2009, these trees will be included in our field evaluations of inoculated clones to monitor their recovery. Future research on these specimens will include expanded cloning research, budding and grafting work, along with replicated inoculations of larger field stock in 2009.