This ancient variety of Elm – the Wych elms are native to Britain. Named after the old English word for supple ‘wice’  rather than any connection to Witchcraft! They produce red/purple clusters of flowers in the spring followed by small fruits (about 1cm across) in the summer. The bark has long vertical creases and varies from brown to grey. As it ages the bark can become quite gnarly. It prefers cooler climes and rich moist soils; like woodlands or near water. Hardier than the traditional English elm and so happy in the more intense weather of the north and west of the British isles. They are very long-lived if they can avoid the Dutch Elm disease; we grow these from seed to try to develop a resistance to this.

The leaves are a lovely green in spring and summer and darken in the autumn months before yellowing and falling off for winter. The birds eat the seeds in the summer, the leaves are food to a variety of caterpillars.

In folklore, the elm tree is believed to possess the power to grant prophetic dreams.