English elm

Ulmus procera

Height up to 30 m, bole up to 1 m diameter. Deciduous. Crown is egg- or cone-shaped at first, becoming a tall dome. Suckers grow from the roots. Leaves are rounded to oval, toothed, dark green, rough, 4-10 x 3.5-7 cm.

What habitats does it normally live in?

Southern England. Hedgerows, fields. Proliferated during enclosure, severely reduced in latter half of 20th century owing to Dutch elm disease - fungal growth spread by small beetle. Timber is valuable.

What are its young like?

Flowers towards end of winter, early spring. Small red flowers are produced on last season's shoots. Fruit is disc-shaped with seed set in centre of circular wing, 1.2 cm.

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