Ulmus glabra (Wych Elm)
Other elm species:
* Smooth leaved or Field Elm
* English ElmIn Toll Wood:
One of three species of elm found in Toll Wood. It is astonishing to find such a concentration of elms, totaling around 190 of which 30 are more significant in size. Dutch Elm Disease (DED) has all but removed these species from the English countryside.
The threat of DED makes it essential that we continuously monitor the health of our three elm species and be ready to fell and remove elms that show infection. A major problem is that elms are generally regarded as clones - if one falls sick, the others will. However, there is a measure of variability across England. There are several disease resistant varieties available from European nurseries.
We hope to access advice from elm experts to inform future succession planting using resistant elms to retain this important tree in our local landscape.
Succession planting strategy. If we want to retain the biodiversity offered by elm species in our countryside, it makes sense to explore early planting of DED-resistant varieties. Action Plan.
Biodiversity value: HIGH
Flowering in early spring (March), the canopy of Toll Wood shimmers as a purple/pink cloud. The flowers themselves are complex and very beautiful. These trees offer plentiful early supply of pollen and nectar. They bear seeds that can be collected in May when they have just turned brown (before they blow away). Seeds are an important food source for birds (and red squirrels, if they were present!). Supports pollinator insects and has specific species associated exclusively with elms - for example, the rare White-letter Hairstreak, Eastern Comma, Mourning Cloak, and Question Mark butterflies. An extensive list of individual lepidopterae associated with elms can be found here.
Elms are 'heavy hitters' when it comes to the number of life-forms associated/supported. Fungi, invertebrates, insects, epiphytic lichens, mosses, mychoriza. Good for wood decay fungi, wood decay invertebrates, and leaf litter.
