above: Elm tree viewed
from the north.

below: the same tree
from south.

              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.