The two Dutch elm disease (DED) pandemics that spread across Europe this century have caused dramatic mortality in elm populations, and the disease still represents a great threat for each individual elm tree. However, the statement that `elms are endangered species' needs to be scrutinized and the situation of each elm species must be considered separately. Factors of importance in elm gene conservation must be discussed before practical recommendations for the implementation of elm gene conservation can be made, in the light of the principles and methods defined for the other common Noble Hardwoods. This article briefly reviews past and current activities in elm research and conservation.