ABOVE & BELOW          

Core II - Dutch Elm Disease

YSOA | Joeb Moore | AGGREGATE | Spring 2021

The New Haven Green has a very rich history in terms of civic, public, and religious use. Moreover, it is also characterized by its diverse vegetation, notably the presence of Elm trees.

In the 20th century, these elm trees were affected by a natural epidemic called the Dutch Elm Disease. The disease, which originates from Asia and is imported to the US through Europe, is extremely destructive to the Elm tree. The infection process starts from the development of the bark beetle and the fungus, which invade the vascular tissue, twigs, and branches of the tree causing it to die.

Historical Map of New Haven - Dying history of Symbolism

Life cycle of elm bark beetles (left) and effect this development leaves on Elm trees (right)

A healthy Elm tree is infected by the disease through the development of the fungus under the bark. This fungus grows from being egg to hatch and produce larvae, which tunnel underneath the bark. This larvae then develops into pupal from which emerges an adult. The fungus is transmitted from one infected tree to a healthy one through air transportation or tree roots. Therefore, the infection of a tree happens through wind (atmospheric force), and the interaction of the infectious element (fungus) with the healthy element (elm tree).

Performative model illustrating the infection process of the elm disease using a pin, water, ink, and wind

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