Spotting oaks and elms

Sometimes you can recognise a tree species from a distance.  At this time of year the oak is a more yellowy green than most.

Close to, the bark is distinctive.

And even before the leaves are fully open, notice the male catkins

You don't see a lot of mature elm trees since the 1970s invasion of Dutch Elm Disease, but this specimen is still proudly gracing the Leisure Centre car park.

The tiny, tufty, red flowers are over now but there are bunches of winged seeds on the tree.  When they ripen and fall they are like pale green confetti scattered over the ground.