Using the commons to understand the Dutch elm disease epidemic in Syracuse, NY

Prior to the arrival of Dutch elm disease to the United States in 1930, American elm (Ulmus americana) had become one of the most beloved and commonly planted urban trees throughout the country, especially in the Northeastern United States. The trees were revered for their beauty, hardiness, and the corridor‐like shade provided to city streets. Syracuse, NY stands as an example of this popularity: in 1951, when the disease first arrived in the city, over 50,000 elms grew in the city. But over the course of twenty years, nearly all elms in the city had become infected and succumbed to the disease. Although efforts to control the fungus in Syracuse ultimately failed to stop elm loss, the case study can be used to better inform contemporary urban forest management practices today by highlighting the effects of mixed property ownership in cities and its effects on pest management.