The Catskill Chronicle

CLARYVILLE, NY (July 27, 2011) – Frost Valley YMCA in partnership with the Elm Research Institute and the Ashokan-Pepacton Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited are planting 50 native American Elm trees along the banks of the Neversink River in an effort to help stabilize the river banks. 

These native American Elm trees were selected for their resistance to Dutch Elm disease which resulted in the mortality of most native Elm trees after a fungal disease was introduced in the 1930s from Elm logs brought into the country from Europe. 

The fungus, which is introduced by beetles that feed on the twigs, eventually kills the leaves, branches and entire tree. 

To combat the fungus the Elms to be planted are resistant to Dutch Elm disease because they are a cross of native American Elm and disease-resistant Liberty Elms. 

According to the Elm Research Institute (photo above) more than 350,000 disease-resistant Liberty Elms have been planted across the U.S. with less than 1% losses from Dutch Elm disease. Despite the disease, American elm trees still persist in the understory of many forests before they succumb to Dutch Elm disease.  Several small trees are still found at Frost Valley. 

Frost Valley YMCA is located at 2000 Frost Valley Road, Claryville, New York. Frost Valley YMCA Camp and Conference Center in the Catskill Mountain High Peaks is open every day through four seasons, welcoming school children, summer campers, and family, group and business retreats.  The camp is just 2.5 hours drive from New York City.