• 1968 Backed by the generosity of private foundations, ERI provided grants to leading researchers in the field of D.E.D. The latest knowledge was brought to bear in a crash program focused on developing a D.E.D. control and a disease-resistant purebred American elm.

• 1968 ERI persuaded the corporate community to turn research findings into treatment compounds.

• 1975 E.R.I. introduced the first practical pressure injection system for treating trees systemically. The injection procedure was designed for use by arborists and elm owners alike. An army of volunteer "Conscientious Injectors" was organized to treat nonresistant elms. Since ERI’s 1975 introduction of its E.P.A. approved "Elm Fungicide," over 100,000 American elms have been injected, with a success rate of over 95%. This compares with losses of over 50% in untreated trees during the same period.

• Late 1983 E.R.I. began propagating the AMERICAN LIBERTY ELM (Ulmus americana libertas), the first disease-resistant American elm with a pedigree and warranty against D.E.D. The new tree is a product of twenty years of genetic research under ERI grants at the University of Wisconsin. A thoroughly American elm, it preserves the traditional shape and hardiness, unlike European or Asian hybrids.

•1984 E.R.I. began distributing Liberty Elms through the "Johnny Elmseed" volunteers.

•1991 E.R.I. began working with researchers to develop DNA markers for the American Liberty Elms.

•1994 700 Johnny Elmseed Nurseries established nationwide.

•1995 The introduction of the Liberty Tree Memorial commemorating our country's founding with the special planting of an American Liberty Elms in towns across the nation.

•1996 ERI expands the Johnny Elmseed Nursery project to a regional level to serve multiple communities from a single nursery.

•1998 New Hampshire becomes the first state to legislate elm restoration on U.S. Route 1.

•2000 Introduction of the Demonstration Tree Program to provide cities with street size trees for immediate planting.

•2000 Over 250,000 elms planted to date. DED loss rate less than 1%.

•2001 ERI releases "Re-Elming America: the Johnny Elmseed Regional Nursery Project". An inspirational 12 minute educational video designed to motivate local volunteer groups and encourage local sponsors.

• 2001 E.R.I. introduces Lifetime Warranty on American Liberty Elm.

• 2001 ERI offers special Liberty Tree Memorial for towns who wish to honor victims of the tragic events that took place September 11.

• 2002 ERI offers Anniversary Elm Program designed especially to commemorate a community’s birthday celebration.

• 2003 ERI moves to Elm Farm, Keene - The Elm City - and expands nursery to provide landscape size trees grown-to-order.

 2004 ERI Announces matching tree grant program, cities and colleges eligible for FREE trees.