Disease-resistant elm trees available to cities

The Westmoreland, N.H.-based Elm Research Institute is offering free American Liberty Elm trees to cities and nonprofit groups that would like to plant them and begin elm nurseries. The program is an effort to replace trees that may have been destroyed by Dutch elm disease with a disease-resistant variety.

Cities and nonprofit groups can apply to receive six, five- to six-foot-tall trees suitable for street planting. Each tree comes with a tag that instructs residents how to sponsor additional trees for the community. With a $100 pledge, cities and nonprofit groups can receive three more, one- to two-foot trees to begin elm nurseries. Within two or three growing seasons, the smaller trees will be suitable for street planting.

For more information about the program, call (800) 367-3567 or visit www.libertyelm.com.