John Brown House's beloved elm spared, for now

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Credit Rhode Island Historical Society

From the RI Historical Society collection

A beloved, ailing Dutch Elm on the John Brown House Museum grounds has received a last minute pardon from city forester Doug Still. Rhode Island Historical Society executive director Morgan Grefe says Still has ordered some additional tests that may confirm the tree is not suffering from Dutch Elm disease.

“Doug had been out several times to look at the elm and, while he recognizes that it is not well, he is hopeful that it is not Dutch Elm disease," says Grefe.

Grefe says previous tests were inconclusive. The new test results, due next week, may offer new hope for saving the century-old elm.

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