Arrow-red ash leaves 
mix with layers of redbud,
maple, and pin oak.
Siberian elms, their trunks 
like great crinkled brows, clutch small
green leaves from bright gusts. 
———————–
Imported after 
the Civil War as orna-
mentals from Mongo-
lian China on the Gobi’s 
fringe. 1879:
Pennsylvania’s State
Board of Agriculture shares, 
“Siberian Elms 
are remarkable for holding 
their leaves long after 
other trees are stripped by frost.” (541)
———————–
College students, eyes 
open for cars, scan Walnut Street.
Three weighty Ulmus
Pumila lean far over 
the road and all who dare cross.
———————–
USDA Yearbook of Agriculture, 1926:
Its resistance to
drought, alaki, and extremes
of temperature 
render it especially 
valuable in the Great Plains
where desirable shade 
trees are few, in the semi-
arid Southwest. Its 
habit of growth makes it 
a valuable windbreak. (216-17)
—————————-
“Chinese Elm, Ulmus 
pumila: Greatest Contri-
bution in Recent 
Years to Our Horticulture,”
Northwest Nursery Company,
Nineteen Twenty Six,
Valley City, North Dakota.
Spring up into good 
sized trees from almost nowhere
Dark lustrous green which hang in 
heavy masses from 
fine lace-like branches The leaves,
examined strongly, 
resemble the American 
elm’s though a little finer 
grow in more heavy
clusters Free from disease 
Thrive in drought or in rainy 
seasons From northern 
Manchuria—a land rich in 
thrifty and hardy 
plants Will sweep this country by 
Demand far exceeds supply 
Will grow in poor soil 
rapidly in spite Neglect 
———————–
April
Oak pollen coats wind- 
shields in this dogwood winter.
Siberian elms’
craggy ridges furrowed deep
up and down their stout trunks. 
The trade winds blow hard
and push heated waters westward,
pulling forth an up- 
welling of sun-secluded 
waters from the deep south seas. 
This coolness we feel today? 
Arisen 10,000 miles away.
———————–
          This year, scientists 
          have also attributed 
          a worsening drought 
          in the Horn of Africa 
          and southern South America 
          to La Niña. Though the storm 
          system will produce cooler 
          temperatures in one 
          part of the world, the U.N. 
          says that warmer sea-surface 
          temperatures elsewhere 
          will drive the global forecast 
          in the coming months. 
          Climate change continues to 
          drive up global temperatures, 
          contributing to more extreme 
          weather events, like La Niña. 
          “Its cooling influence 
          is temporarily slowing 
          the rise in global 
          temperatures but it will not 
          halt or reverse the long-term
          warming trend,” Taalas said.