Almost as fast as the first of this months fleeting snows, the month has come and gone and I’m only just in time for February’s tree blog update on the Camperdown Wych Elm.
With such a mild winter, Spring blooms have been rushing ahead of themselves but as is expected, signs of new growth on the Elm remain tightly budded. This gives plenty of scope to focus instead on the naked form and textures of the umbelliferous tree .
Although I refer to a singularity, two are growing within weeping branch reach of each other and as is their nature, have grown into such a close entanglement that I’ve come to regard them as a unity. Actually there are three such Umbrella Elm trees in the churchyard and for the purposes of ID I’ve familiarised them according to the three sisters of fate…Clotho (spinner), Lachesis (alloter) and Atropos (unturnable). 1
Looking L to R: Lachesis, the alloter of life, with her spinning sister Clotho in the distance. (R) Literally leaning towards and reaching out to her sister, the branches of Clotho are held head high, above Lachesis.
Atropos, the last and smallest of the fateful sisters, cuts each thread of life with a pair of shears. Planted some distance away, her diminutive tree representative provides cover for a solitary visitor, seated in the throes of Autumn.
Despite the extraordinary nature of Ulmus glabra ‘Camperdownii’, there is a dearth of descriptive detail available and so I’ve pulled together my own observations, tied in with collages of specific aspects for id purposes - just click to enlarge:-
A short, broad, “weeping” variety of wych elm growing 5-10 metres high and wide. The trunk is quite narrow and straight, superficially grey-brown with ridged bark that readily reveals a ruddy sub layer. Whether by bird, insect or design, small punctures are not uncommon, expanding into deep fissures and scars, particularly low down on the trunk. Inverse to these holes are woody protrusions, appearing overtly mammalian or alternately akin to climbings holds. Higher up the tree these boles expand into enormous twiggy carbuncles, from which branches of corkscrewed contortions emerge. Invariable longer than the tree is tall, the branches curl back on themselves or criss-cross into what look like retractable mechanical arms, able to expand and reach out further at any given moment. From these a zig-zagged lattice work of twigs is suspended, ultimately forming such a dense, webbing of greenery that the trunk is entirely shrouded.
Appearing to pirouette on one leg, Clotho spins out the yarn of life which she hands to her sister. Lachesis holds the extended branch above her head, just as if measuring the length of life’s yarn that is given to each and every being.
And many a gnarled trunk was there,
That ages long had stood,
Till Time had wrought them into shapes
Like Pan’s fantastic brood;
Or still more foul and hideous forms
That Pagans carve in wood! 2
Part sculpture, part curio, the Camperdown Wych Elm is a marvel of a miniaturised tree and these three sit well as representative of the Moirai fates in Old St Pancras churchyard. Nevertheless it was obviously not the hand of God that directly divined this barren hybrid but the skills of a 19th century head gardener (see my post Wych Way Forward).
Am especiallly thankful to Lucy@LooseandLeafy, for linking all of us tree bloggers together, in a 2012 Tree Followers meme
Great pictures and information on the Camperdown Wych Elm which has escaped the dreaded disease. Here in Aberdeen there is a lot of controversy over the possible felling of a few Elm trees which are over two hundred years old. This is all to do with the city centre sunken gardens being raised up at a horrifying cost of 140 million pounds.
Height of these camperdowns elms is below the flight path of the elm disease moth! Aghast at the proposed desecration of ancient Aberdeen elms and here is the petition to
Save the 200 year old Elms in Union Terrace Gardenes
Lovely post Laura, I particularly like the image of the trees as the Three sisters of fate. And what characterful trees, so gnarled and twisted. I also meant to say how useful your notes are.
Janet at Planticru Notes read my post..Elephant Rock
been anthropomorphizing since I’ve become so attached to these 3 characters but the observational notes remind me that these are trees!
Incredible images and beautiful words to ponder the beauty of these trees. Whether God or gardener or nature formed their gnarled structures, the end result reminds me of the endless elegance and wisdom of time.
The Sage Butterfly read my post..Wing Flair
impressively eloquent – thank you
I would have thought that these trees looked weird & deformed but your decriptions lead me to take a closer look and see their beauty.
b-a-g read my post..Foxgloves (25 FEB 2012)
I recently read an article on Camperdown Elms in American Bungalow Magazine (devoted to Craftsman period architecture and gardens). I don’t think a lot of them grow here, but there are some remarkable specimens in some Botanic Gardens, including one near here at Filoli. They really do have the most fascinating architecture of any tree I’ve seen.
Curbstone Valley Farm read my post..Hive Management: Splitting the Salvia Hive
I so love elms and this is an unusual one or 3…all of our elms were lost years ago but they are reintroducing this beloved tree as a disease resistant variety…
Donna@Gardens Eye View read my post..Wishing for …
Your last two mosaics and the final photo in particular demonstrate the tremendous character of these trees. Each is a treasure, and what tales they would spin if given words! As it is, we can, as you have done, create our own fantasies. By the way, I always listen to music when I blog, and I just realized the current tune playing is ‘Memories of Trees’, performed by the Taliesin Orchestra. How appropriate!
My tree looks depressingly the same as it did last time. It has no sisters. It has no story. It’s just a bit twiggy and grey. Sigh.
not the most dynamic this time of year Elizabeth but look forward to next month’s post from your tree
- wait til you see them in full umbelliferous greenery, b-a-g,
- they were popular in the States too, Clare with the most famous one in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York
- the loss of elms was a disaster for our familiar landscape too Donna
- treemendous indeed Deb
Dear Laura just love this post, I know I’ve said before but I am again you have such a lovely way with words, poetic prose and a story like a grecian tale, Frances
Island Threads read my post..the fruit and berry garden (well one day maybe)
your appreciation of my prose is very welcome Frances and am grateful for your encouragement