It is one of the causative agents of Dutch elm disease. Trees in areas unaffected by Dutch elm disease (DED) can live for several hundred years. Jones began his career as one fifth of the comedy group Dutch Elm Conservatoire. Oak wilt is similar to Dutch elm disease but more controllable. The damage of this insect rivals that of chestnut blight and Dutch elm disease. Dutch elm disease has reached New Zealand. This was coupled with a major outbreak of Dutch elm disease throughout the decade. In 2005 Jones was nominated for the Perrier Award with sketch group Dutch Elm Conservatoire. Elm is now far less common, due to the devastating effects of Dutch elm disease. These died with the onset of Dutch elm disease in the early to mid-20th century. Their projects included the conservation of 500 endangered Dutch elm trees in Riverside Park. The impact of Dutch elm disease led to large-scale replanting after 1945. The Chinese elm is highly resistant, but not immune, to Dutch elm disease. The spread of Dutch elm disease required many old trees to be cut down. The middle field contains one of the last established rare Dutch Elm trees in London.