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above: Elm tree viewed from the north. below: the same tree from south.
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Trees of London
Marylebone High Street
Wych Elm Scot's Elm Dutch Elm Huntingdon Elm
felled wych elm dwarf wych elm
The four names given for this one tree, the wych elm, the Scot's elm, the Huntingdon elm and the Dutch elm, illustrate one of the almost insurmountable problems with identifying trees: there are just to many varieties even within one species. Naturally occurring hybrids between wych elms and small leafed elms are called Dutch elms, and the Huntingdon elm is the result of further man induced cultivation. To a casual observer all the trees look the same, and it really requires the use of a microscope and scientists to confirm the differences.
The Huntindon elm has better resistance to Dutch elm disease which devastated this species in the early 1970s, which is still an everyday threat.
Take a good look at the leaves, because they are typical elm leaves. Apart from noticing their unusual shape, if you look closely, you will see that the ribs do not meet at the middle; this is one of the signs that what you are looking at might be an elm. The Scots elm is just another name for the wych elm, but it is not just found in Scotland and just like other native British trees, and this is one of those for you to tick off your list, it is not unique to Britain.
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Trees at Russell Square
yew holm oak
cherry holly
Russell square
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Tree Identification |
ulmus x hollandica 'vegeta': |
Remember to click on images. |
leaf: alternate; veins: alternate; asymetrical, one side usually bigger than other particularly at the base; toothed margin. |  |
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nuts/fruit: flat, light, translucent, seed can be seen within; arrnaged in clusters.. |
Flowers:
| April; small purple; arrive before the leaves. |
| bark: grey,brown; ridged. |
shape:
| grows to 40 metres; tall, rounded crown. |
general: a native tree, but quite rare due to Dutch elm disease. |
click below for photos of a wych elm tree, including its flower. www.toof.org.uk |
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Location:
On Marylebone High Street north end, outside the Garden of Rest.
Map to be replace by Gordon Square map. |
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Trees of London A James Wilkinson Publication ©
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