The vast majority of the trees in Detroit neighborhoods were, indeed, elms, and fell to the Dutch Elm disease starting in the 1960's. They were beautiful; streets took on a cathedral-like appearance as you looked down the road. The city was also very good about trimming them regularly; at least every other year for any particular street. I remember them so well.

For what it's worth, the only negative thing about elms is that they are very blah when autumn comes along. The leaves just turn an ugly yellow-brown [[mostly brown), and don't contribute to what you generally picture as Michigan fall colors. Folks also tended to rake the leaves and just burn them at the curb. Some late-October days had so much smoke in the air you could cut it with a knife. That's one tradition that needed to go.

With rare exception, the elms were planted in that stretch of lawn between the sidewalk and the curb. Thus, the trees were on city property; individual property lines end at the sidewalk. Current city planning has new developments locating the sidewalk along the curb; no 'boulevard' strips as are common in Detroit and the near 'burbs.

Dang, I'm rambling. But you just triggered such fond memories!!!!