Deliberately Infecting Elms to Save Them | Burlington News

Burlington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 23, 2026 · 1m

Scientists in Vermont are deliberately infecting five thousand young American elms with Dutch elm disease in a daring experiment to find naturally resistant trees. This bold move aims to revive a species decimated by the fungus, which has killed millions over the past century. Beyond aesthetics, these trees are crucial for flood control, wildlife habitat, and ecosystem stability—especially as climate change intensifies extreme weather. Researchers inject the trees with the deadly fungus, knowing most will die, but hoping a few will survive to become the genetic foundation for a resilient…