On Friday June 4, MetroParks workers along with specialists from Arbor Experts of Dayton, injected an anti-fungal tree medicine into the elm. That should protect it for about two years, said Paul Burns, owner of Arbor Experts.
The 18.5-acre property on the east side of the river at Shoup Mill Road is historic. It was once the site of Frigidaire’s employee park. In the 19th century, a mill race powered a water-driven millstone that ground flour there.
Five Rivers funded the $111,000 purchase with a Clean Ohio Fund grant. Parks workers will haul away illegally dumped trash and remove invasive honeysuckle, said Dave Nolin of Five Rivers MetroParks.
Directly across the river from the site is Harrison Twp.’s Sinclair Park. Next door is another MetroParks river conservation property. Together, the parcels protect 4,800 feet of riverbank, supporting a large number of bird species including the belted kingfisher, flycatchers and woodpeckers.
The American elm is one of the largest in Ohio, according to Burns. It has the potential to be a listed Champion Tree in the state.
“What a thrill it is to have that tree protected in the parks system,” Burns said.
About the Author