Elm were once the dominant street tree lining the boulevards of America's major cities and small towns. They grow quickly, provide an overarching canopy for dense shade, are reletively clean, withstand a wide variety of harsh conditions, and are incredibly hardy. Sadly, Dutch Elm Disease (DED) decimated countless Elm as it ravaged across the continent begining in the 1930s, and they therefore fell out of favor. DED has largely run its course and is rarely encountered today. Also, botanists have been studiously at work cross hybridizing and introducing new varieties that are resistant to the disease, and Elm are once again flourishing. There are several varieties from which to choose, many of which are indistinguishable from one another.