Dear Editor:
Yesterday, June 19th, was a blue ribbon day in Union City’s Washington Park but no awards were given. The blue ribbon marks those trees that will be felled due to a tree disease. This disease spreads from the spores of a root fungus and 3 trees will be cut down. All are a species of elm. Recently a man told me he thought the disease spread by bird—no. Last week in an email to Mory Thomas, of Washington Park Association, I told him of 2. Last week I pointed the diseased trees out to the county park supervisor, a very personable and able man. These trees show signs of “flagging” or brown withered leaves as water is blocked from going up and down the trunk.
On September 3, 2013 the county cut down a diseased elm in same park. I see already very early signs of infection in another elm. All these elms were planted in 1926, the largest grove of distinctive elms in Union City. The New York Time’s “A Grand Elm No Longer” (Apr 7, 2005) described a “mother elm” in Princeton, N.J. which succumbed to Dutch Elm Disease (DED). It had 278 growth rings giving it an age of about 1727. Mayor Stack promotes tree planting in Union City and his efforts are environmentally green, and very laudable. May I respectfully suggest that he and the commissioners seek out a way to honor these remaining elms with some kind of respectful ceremony, or a historical marker that will mark their presence and passing. Trees need not be forgotten, especially those nearing the 100 year mark. I write as a tree advocate rather than activist and know that I am not alone in Union City. We all enjoy the beauty, shade, and oxygen trees bring to our neighborhoods. It’s my hope that all of us will find time to honor trees and celebrate their life histories from birth to death. Goodbye to Union City’s ‘mother elm’ .
Tony Squire