Is Elm making a comeback or is it just a fairytale?

[David Goss]

So I am thinning and doing a general tidy up of various aged woodland areas and it is becoming more and more apparent that the majority of wood that I am cutting is Elm. These are self seeded and also growing from old dead stumps from Dutch Elm disease. My question is... Is there a chance this new generation of Elm will make it to maturity?

A lot of these trees are already getting quite large and seem to be outgrowing and in better health than everything around them. I guess there is some study going on to understand the future of our Elm? If not there should be.

Anyone else seeing similar results and does anyone know what's happening with studys etc more to the point?

Yea I know I should search myself but I am old and my study days are over

[David Goss]

Forgot to say that we are cutting out Elm in preference to ash, oak beech and even sycamore! I have been trying to save the best ones and if there are any Elm with plenty room then I am leaving them also.

[kev7937]

Pretty sure they will all be growing from the old root system not from the seeds which aren't viable and as soon as they are big enough for the beetles to feed on ded will get em.

 

 

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[David Goss]

Pretty sure they will all be growing from the old root system not from the seeds which aren't viable and as soon as they are big enough for the beetles to feed on ded will get em.

 

 

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But are you sure? Maybe they are fighting back and are building an immunity?

[kev7937]

Pretty sure yes

 

They only grow from suckers making them a clone of the parent tree, no evolution so no immunity developing.

 

 

 

 

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[HCR]

Which elm?

 

Wych elm produces viable seed and is less susceptible to DED as the beetles are less keen on it.

[kev7937]

English elm

 

 

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[HCR]

English elm

 

 

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Do you know the site or did I miss something in the OP?

[kev7937]

Think he says various woodland sites

 

 

 

 

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[David Goss]

Yea 99% sure its Ulmus minor, smooth leaved elm or english elm whatever you want to call it. The woodland area is close to Edinburgh if thats any use to you. So what age and or size do you think they would need to be before the beetle would be interested in them? Just seems a shame to think they are doomed and have no real chance to become mature trees.