The British countryside is a poorer place without the 25 million elms that we have lost. Elms over Epsom is dedicated to helping nature by planting resistant elm trees to fill the gaps. The White Letter Hairstreak Butterfly and the rare 2 spot Elm Pinion Moth depend on the elm as their lifecycle food source. Help us ensure that these hungry caterpillars don’t go hungry!🐛
Elms Over Epsom aims to promote the planting of resistant elm trees to replace our iconic English Elm.
Elms contribute to the mitigation of the global warming crisis, addressing climate change and creating habitats.
The native Field Elm, another type of elm, has faced devastation due to disease linked to human activity. Yet, hope remains in isolated pockets of our green and pleasant land, where resistant Elm trees still thrive.
Rare hybrid elm trees survive around the country. Most hybrids are of Wych elm and Field Elm parents, making them resistant. These elm trees provide a glimpse of what we have lost. Downton Elm (Ulmus x hollandica ‘Smithii’).
Elms Over Epsom have carried out many planting projects in Surrey, to plant resistant elm trees to help mitigate the loss of Ash trees due to Ash Dieback Disease. While it may seem like a drop in the ocean, remember that many drops make a sea!
Our native Wych elm is in decline as temperatures rise. Where it survives it often thrives but it needs a helping hand. We research local populations and record the locations.
Where they form into tall trees, the tree canopy abounds with Butterflies and birds.
We plant baby Wych elms, however we cannot guarantee their survival. If ground conditions dry out too much, they will succumb to the disease.
We stock a large selection of different modern elms.
Tall, wide, broad, big, shade, slim, low, high and mighty.
Natural setting or Formal.
Exposed site v. Sheltered site
Clay, sand, well drained, boggy, south aspect, North aspect. woodland, new development etc.
We will share amazing elm stories to raise elm awareness and to put them back on the map.
Elms over Epsom is on Facebook.
Howard Gregory Is administrator for Elm Research Worldwide (on Whatsapp).
Wildlife consultant to Age Concern Epsom.
Created Elm Woodland in Long Grove Park Epsom.
Member of the Surrey Tree Warden Network.
Elms Over Epsom is available for public speaking and community events. Prices on application.
After years of searching, a replacement elm is available to replace the lost iconic English Elm.
The Fontley Elm has all the right credentials to be used in countryside planting projects.
A tough elm, able to adapt easily to ground condition. On fertile deep soil it will reach for the stars. On poor shallow soils it will sucker and adapt. Ulmus Lutece.
The third favoured Elm for mixed species countryside planting. I find it very adaptable to all soils, even flowering in its first year when planted as a young tree.
It is not symmetrical in shape but I like that. It has character.
Howard Gregory, has had a 45 year career in botanical horticulture taking him all over the world. He is administrator for Elm Research Worldwide and Elms Over Epsom on Facebook.
At Elms Over Epsom, we want to revive and promote the Elm to once again grace our treescapes. The Elm has a place in our landscape and hedgerows. It needs friends and people with vision.
As a society we waste so much money on unnecessary things. Let’s use our wealth to invest in the future. Think Elms.
Have questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
The historical Elms in Epsom and Ashtead are a shadow of their former selves.
We do have however a very large selection of resistant elms, planted in the 1970’s as a result of an early European planting scheme called Elms over Europ. The resistant elm of that decade was Elm Sapporo Autumn Gold.
This amazing local elm is testament to the toughness of elms. Planted as a boundary tree to the now derelict Horton House, it now finds itself on the wrong side of the new Christchurch Road, sitting in a ditch created when the new road was built.
This copse of Field Elm is heavily infected but it keeps trying to beat the disease. It produces copious samara seed and handsome new growth every year.
Countless guests to the Jolly Coopers in Epsom have enjoyed the summer shade from this Elm. A fine example of a young Wych Elm. Rare on the common but frequent by the Hogsmill in Worcester Park.
Elm champions are planting resistant Elms all around the country. Join us to make a difference. A small difference - but a difference nevertheless.
Have questions or comments? We're always here to help. Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
A rare native elm in Ashtead. The Coritana elm.