Planting Elms

There has been little planting of elm trees since the outbreak of Dutch Elm Disease in the 1970s.  However we were given three young plants grown from seed produced by large, mature and possibly disease-resistant elm trees.

So with a little help from Jacob and Harry, we have planted them up by post 6 near the viewpoint.

After carefully digging the hole each tree was carefully placed in position

And soil firmed in round the roots to make it nice and cosy.

We shall need to water them through the summer as they settle in to their new homes.

Interestingly there is one rather rare butterfly, which declined drastically in the 1970s, because the caterpillars must have elm to feed on.  Maybe these young elm plants will be visited by a female White Letter Hairstreak butterfly itching to lay her eggs.

photo: Butterfly Conservation

By the way there is a large Wych Elm tree in the hedge between the car park and the skateboard park.  Come on White Letter Hairstreaks; we are waiting for you.