Back in the 50s & early-60s, our Family lived in Arling Hts, IL, and we had American Elms on our 3.5ac property, as well as the canopy covering the streets. All gone now.
In the 70s/80s, the Zelkova serrata (Russian Elm) was introduced to ‘replace’ the American Elm, but it too had its problems, though it is in widespread use today.
The Tilia cordata (Linden) is a nice, durable street/pkg lot tree, but more of an ornamental rather than a massive shade tree, like the Elms. The summer blooms are a Jap Beetle magnet - they can defoliate an entire tree - and a problem unless pre-treated for the beetle infestation.
“Arling Hts, IL”
Arlington Heights, IL