Wych Elm

A much rarer sight nowadays after Dutch elm disease wiped out large populations of elm trees in the 1960’s the wych elm has strong, water resistant timber. The leaves have a characteristic asymmetrical base that taper at the top. The flowers appear before the leaves in early spring, they are red-purple in colour and grow in clusters of 10–20. A hermaphrodite tree, both male and female reproductive parts are contained within each flower.