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Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Pests
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Chris Young SJR | City vs. Nature - |
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From the time of Mr. Lincoln's residency to the present, many pests have threatened the structures and vegetation on site. Two of the most serious pest threats have been termites and the fungus, Dutch Elm disease (which was introduced to the United States in the 1930s).
In the 1840s, Mr. Lincoln planted an American elm tree in front of his house. In 1906 it was destroyed by a storm. The replacement elm was destroyed by Dutch elm disease, which killed many elm trees in the neighborhood and throughout the Springfield area. In an attempt to control this deadly fungus, many hardier disease-resistant varieties of the elm tree were planted. Several are on site today, including Red elm (Ulmus rubra), Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifola), and Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila).
In 1987 – 88, the National Park Service took apart the Lincoln Home, clapboard by clapboard, in order to repair and restore any damage sustained over a century of use. Restoration specialists discovered that termites had significantly weakened a central weight-bearing beam in the home. Workmen replaced the original beam with wood from that same time period (ca. 1860), and also reinforced the structure with steel. This prevented further deterioration and added support to the aging structure.
Today, Lincoln Home National Historic site staff monitor the grounds and structures for pest problems.
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Learn More about Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln Home National Historic Site more... | | Take a photographic tour of the Lincoln Home See photos of each room more... | |
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Did You Know?
Abraham Lincoln is the only president to hold a patent. His patent was for a system of chambers designed to refloat boats that had run aground. He received Patent No. 6469 on March 10, 1849.
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Last Updated: July 30, 2006 at 15:31 EST |