Our thanks go to Tom and Karla Nutt for opening their home for this successful fund raising event. Their newly restored 1909 Colonial Revival home was the center piece of the evening. Two Hundred guests toured the house, enjoyed fine local food, graciously donated by Castagna Restaurant, regional wine, from Seufert Winery, local beer from Hopworks and music by Mark Casperson's 5-Tet and John Gilmore. We learned about William S. Ladd's influence on Portland and the history of Ladd's Addition with a presentation by urban planner and local historian, Richard Ross.

Dutch Elm Disease Hits Lavender Street IN 2008

The removal of six mature elm trees on Lavender Street represents the worst single season loss to Dutch Elm Disease since the fungus first appeared in Ladd's Addition in the early 1990s. A nest of Elm Bark Beetles was discovered in the crown of one tree in March, 2008. After positive testing for Dutch Elm Disease, that tree was removed. Later in the spring a second and third tree were showing signs of Dutch Elm Disease. They too tested positive. Visual inspection of the remaining trees on the North side of Lavender revealed that the fungus had likely spread via root grafting. In order to

prevent the fungus from spreading to trees on Ladd Avenue, the City Forester determined that all of the trees that were showing signs of Dutch Elm Disease (Flagging, browning and curling leaves) should be quickly removed.

SAVE OUR ELMS inoculated several trees in the vicinity of the loss with a macro-infusion process of a fungicide called Arbortect(tm). This process differs from the regular inoculations that have been used in Ladd's Addition for 12 years. Macro-infusion must be performed by a licensed pesticide applicator. The market cost per tree for macro-infusion is over $800. SAVE OUR ELMS invested nearly $500 per tree in hope of stopping the spread of Dutch Elm Disease. Davey-Organicare donated significant in-kind support to this project. Their arborist provided the labor to install the injectors, calculation and mix the appropriate amount of fungicide for each tree and supervised a core group of volunteers who prepared the elms for the macro-infusion process. The City of Portland contributed equipment, technical advice and also performed the tree removal - a job that would have cost the homeowners in excess of $20,000.

THESE TREES WERE INOCULATED - WHY DID THEY STILL DIE?: The inoculation process is designed to slow the spread of Dutch Elm Disease. There is no known technology that is 100% effective. In Ladd's Addition, we lose on average less than two percent of the grove to Dutch Elm Disease each year. This compares favorable to urban elm management programs throughout the country.

WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE?: SAVE OUR ELMS will continue to inoculate trees on a schedule that can be supported by community contributions. As important as inoculation is, regular professional maintenance and pruning is also required to prevent the spread of Dutch Elm Disease by the Elm Bark Beetle. A pruning program subsidized by SAVE OUR ELMS and the Bureau of Environmental Services Is available to homeowners during the winter dormant season. We urge homeowners to take advantage of this program to remove dead wood from the canopy.

WILL LAVENDER STREET BE RE-PLANTED?: In March, these trees will be replaced with disease-resistant elm trees so that our children will enjoy the majestic elm grove as we have known it.

HOW ELSE CAN I HELP?

1. Keep your Elm trees pruned.
2. Never store elm wood for firewood or other uses.
3. Find out more about Dutch Elm Disease by visiting www.saveourelms.org
4. Volunteer to help!
5. Send a generous contribution to:
   SAVE OUR ELMS, 1630 SE ELLIOTT AVE. PORTLAND, OREGON 97214

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