Not that long ago most Nebraska communities were full of large American elms. Their tall, arching habit, fast growth and adaptability to a wide range of soil conditions made them a popular choice for planting in towns from Falls City to Chadron and all points in between. Because of its wide-spreading habit, American elm was especially popular for planting along streets. Often the canopies of individual trees met over the middle of the street, creating a ceiling of green that would sometimes stretch for blocks at a time. Unfortunately Dutch elm disease raced across the state in the 1960s and 70s and, in what now seems like the blink of an eye, the elms were gone. And they have been sorely missed