Is this a Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra)?

clicka15 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 06:52 PM

Hello to all,

I've been searching my local bit of the Sussex Downs for Elm trees, which are foodplants for a type of butterfly (the White-letter Hairstreak), and I found what I think is a plantation of Wych Elm.

I'm not an authority on trees in any sense, so I wondered if anyone could have a look at the photo below and offer any suggestions? I checked the leaf litter below the tree and the leaves appeared to be Elm-like. I was struck by how gnarled even the young branches were, with deep vertical ridges on 2 or 3 year-old growth.

You may also be interested to know that I found a spider, a mating pair of weevils and an overwintering Four-spot Ladybird on the trees - but no Hairstreak eggs, which is what I was hoping to find!

Thanks and best wishes,

Steve.

Peter W · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 08:22 PM

The pronounced corky ridges on the smaller branches are typical of English Elm (Ulmus procera), I don't think these are present on Wych Elm.

If it is English Elm then it is good to see a tree of this size - where I live in north Surrey the young trees that still arise as suckers regularly succumb to Dutch Elm disease before they reach anything like this size.

tachybaptus · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 09:17 PM

Hi,

looks like an elm but hard to say which one from photo. Wych elm doesn't sucker like the other elms so a quick look around the tree might give a clue to what it is (or isn't).

Hope you find some white-letter hairstreak eggs - easier than finding the adults!

clicka15 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter W

The pronounced corky ridges on the smaller branches are typical of English Elm (Ulmus procera) present on Wych Elm.

That's good news - my book had a bit of a confusing description. The corky ridges were on all the trees in question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter W

If it is English Elm then it is good to see a tree of this size - where I live in north Surrey the young trees that still arise as suckers regularly succumb to Dutch Elm disease before they reach anything like this size.

There were plenty of this size and larger. Perhaps I should have a rough count...