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218 DARWIN D. MARTIN HOUSE // CULTURAL LANDSCAPE REPORT trees that are replaced in-kind, the resulting impacts on other rehabilitation efforts, and the form and habit of the plant substitution. For example, it is not recommended to replace one Courtyard elm in-kind and replace the other Courtyard elm with a substitute that does not match in size, form, habit, or texture – as the resulting incongruity between two trees that have an interdependent relationship would be a negative and visually dominant force on the landscape. Street Trees The site-wide guidelines regarding tree replacement are recommended to apply to all street trees contained within the defined “historic core” and “interpretive core,” as well as street trees that exist directly across Jewett Parkway and Summit Avenue and within “borrowed” viewsheds along these public corridors – generally to within ~200 feet of the historic property. Though these trees are not located on MHRC-owned property and the organization does not have authority over treatments within the public right-of-way, it is recommended that the MHRC work in conjunction with the City of Buffalo to ultimately restore the streetscape within this borrowed viewshed area. Selected street trees have been recommended to be removed from within the Historic Core area as rehabilitation tasks. However, it is not currently recommended that street trees outside this area be removed if they are mature, healthy, and support a diverse urban forest. Furthermore, while historically accurate, the City should work with the MHRC and the neighborhood to assess the feasibility and risk of catastrophic loss associated with monoculture street tree installations. To support interpretive goals the MHRC may invest resources in the enhanced care and management of trees directly associated with the historic property (potentially including street trees within the historic core), but prior to work commencing on areas outside the Historic Core, a viable management plan should be developed in conjunction with the City. Ideally, the City of Buffalo (working with the MHRC, the Parkside neighborhood association, and a qualified consultant) should prepare and implement a long-term neighborhood-wide historic street tree master plan for the entire Parkside East Historic District. Elm Replacements The predominant deciduous shade tree within the cultural landscape was the American elm (Ulmus americana), a species notably absent from most landscapes due to the ravages of Dutch Elm Disease (DED) that began in the middle of the 20th century. American elms are still susceptible to this disease, though recent decades have seen the introduction of several DED “resistant” varieties of the American elm and related elm hybrids. American elms have a particular and recognizable habit, with branches that form a “V” shape close to the trunk and extend out in a horizontal plane before distinctly arching back toward the ground. This is a critically defining characteristic of the American elm and was ubiquitous within the documented historic landscape and neighborhood streetscape. It is therefore recommended that this habit be a primary criteria in selecting appropriate varieties for replacement. Other characteristics, such as foliage size, overall mature size, bark texture, or even growth rates should also be considered. Current research recommends planting Ulmus americana varieties known as ‘Valley Forge’ or ‘Princeton’ as they show the best resistance to DED. An alternative hybrid substitution that is commonly planted for its good DED resistance is Ulmus davidiana var. japonica ‘Morton,’ also known as the Accolade elm. However, this is an Asian hybrid and not genetically related to American elm species. Asian hybrids typically have smaller leaves and do not exhibit the characteristic V-shape. However, the Accolade was specifically introduced by Morton Arboretum for its unique V-shaped habit and DED resistance which is uncharacteristic among other Asian hybrids. Hackberry (Celtus occidentalis) is also an accepted substitute for the American elm in landscape rehabilitation projects. The hackberry is related to the elm and has a similar, though not identical and not nearly as pronounced, arched habit. It’s a dependable tree that can adapt to a