Minnesota State Fair Criticized for Spreading Dutch Elm

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Half of the majestic elm trees that once shaded the Minnesota State Fairgrounds have Dutch elm disease and will have to be removed, and some tree experts are blaming fair officials for not doing enough to prevent their loss.

At least 35 diseased elm trees have been cut down this year, and another 59 have been condemned, according to arborists.

Two University of Minnesota plant pathologists say fair officials dropped their guard against the tree-killing fungus -- an allegation fair officials have denied.

Extension plant pathologist Janna Beckerman said she noticed in recent years that elm trees on the fairgrounds in Falcon Heights had become diseased and were left standing for long periods. Dying elms are known to attract the disease-spreading elm bark beetle.

Bob Blanchette, a professor in the university's plant pathology department, said the diseased elms created a breeding ground for the beetles, helping spread the infection to healthy trees.

"Now Dutch elm there is rampant," he said.

There were 186 elms on the fairgrounds earlier this year after 21 were lost last year. The fairgrounds could be left with fewer than 100.

Across the metropolitan area, cities are seeing dramatic increases in the number of diseased elms. In Minneapolis, 8,000 diseased elms will be cut down, up from 3,800 last year, said Jim Hermann of the Park and Recreation Board.

Jerry Hammer, the fair's executive vice president, denied that the fair has been complacent in its elm-removal program. He said that the fair's losses this year are similar to other communities.

"Any buzz out there about the fair not taking care of their trees is dead wrong," he said. "We are passionate about our trees."

Beckerman, the plant pathologist, walked around the fairgrounds last week and found nearly every elm tree showing at least some symptoms of Dutch elm disease. She estimated that only a handful of trees showed no symptoms at all.

"This can only happen with a lapse of sanitation," she said.

Arborists use the term sanitation to describe the rapid identification and removal of diseased trees. It is the cornerstone of Dutch elm disease control because a break in such efforts allows the disease to flourish, she said.

Beckerman said weather also worked against the fair. Just when it appeared the fair relaxed its Dutch elm sanitation, the trees were stressed by two dry years. Insects readily attack the stressed trees, she said.

Another critic of the fair's handling of the disease is Mark Stennes, an arborist and certified tree inspector who had a contract with the fair to care for elm trees from 1976 to 2001. Stennes said he checked elms three times each summer, and he arranged for their prompt removal, when necessary.

He also injected some elms with fungicide to slow the spread of disease.

Stennes said fair officials ended his contract 3 years ago. After that, "diseased trees were left standing on the fairgrounds boiling bark beetles," he said.

State Fair officials said fair staff members handled elm tree management during 2001 and 2002. Although no elms were treated during those years, 24 diseased trees were removed, fair officials said. No sick elms were left standing from year to year, said Jim Sinclair, assistant manager of the State Fair.

"We've maintained our elm program," he said. No trees needed treatment in those years, he said.

Despite the losses, fair visitors won't be without shade. For years, the fair has planted other species of trees. This year, it will add 65 trees, including oaks and maples, but no elms.