WYCH ELM – Ulmus glabra: [ 3 ]
Grows to 30m in height with smooth grey bark that develops deep fissures after 20 years and becomes more grey-brown. Leaf buds and twigs are covered in orange hairs. The green leaves have an asymmetrical base and are larger than other elm,s growing up to 16cm in length with a toothed edge and a tapered point at the top. Flowers contain male and female parts and appear before the leaves in spring. They are purply red and grow along the twigs in clusters of 10 to 20. Wind pollinates the flowers which become fruits called samaras. The seed is situated in the centre of the wing and they are dispersed by the wind. Decimated by Dutch elm disease it is now a rare tree. Caterpillars of the whiteletter hairstreak butterfly feed on the leaves and numbers have declined dramatically due to the rarity now. Many birds eat elm seeds. The wood is strong and durable and was used for boat parts, floorboards and wheel hubs.
Grows to 30m in height with smooth grey bark that develops deep fissures after 20 years and becomes more grey-brown. Leaf buds and twigs are covered in orange hairs. The green leaves have an asymmetrical base and are larger than other elm,s growing up to 16cm in length with a toothed edge and a tapered point at the top. Flowers contain male and female parts and appear before the leaves in spring. They are purply red and grow along the twigs in clusters of 10 to 20. Wind pollinates the flowers which become fruits called samaras. The seed is situated in the centre of the wing and they are dispersed by the wind. Decimated by Dutch elm disease it is now a rare tree. Caterpillars of the whiteletter hairstreak butterfly feed on the leaves and numbers have declined dramatically due to the rarity now. Many birds eat elm seeds. The wood is strong and durable and was used for boat parts, floorboards and wheel hubs.
