Branchlines supports elm revival scheme

One of the 'parent trees'

Branchlines, the organisation that looks after Old School Wood community woodland in Great Waldingfield, is to participate in The Great British Elm Experiment currently being conducted by the Conservation Foundation.

For those of us who are old enough to remember how scores of beautiful elm trees used to enhance our countryside, Dutch Elm Disease was a major catastrophe.   Gainsborough and Constable’s pictures of our area are, of course, populated with these most gracious of trees. 

Not all elms died however, a few for some reason proving resistant to the plague.  Cuttings taken from these survivors are now being micro propagated and distributed across the UK.  The aim is to create a new generation of trees, which will not just be beautiful, but will aid biodiversity by encouraging those species of wildlife that are to some degree dependent on the elm.

Community Groups such as Branchlines and other voluntary organisations can have a sapling free, and private landowners will receive up to ten for a small fee.  Recipients will be asked to monitor the progress of their elm and report back.  In time it is hoped that a generation of healthy elms will grace the countryside once again.

To learn more about the Great British Elm Experiment click here.

Thanks  to Chris Francis for alerting me to this news.