American elm, a beloved tree that used to beautify many American cities, suffered catastrophic damage from Dutch elm disease and during the 20th century completely disappeared from streets and parks. Due to American elm popularity, its tragedy, unlike other similar stories (such as that of American chestnut or Canada hemlock), was very much noticed. Unnoticed, however, remains its lingering aspect. Unlike chestnuts, elms still exist as large isolated trees here and there in the deciduous forest and are gradually disappearing due to continuous slow advancement of the disease. Photo credit Luba Batuner