For one reason and another, I missed updating my tree post last month and so I made an eager Easter visit to the Camperdown Elms of St Pancras churchyard. I’ve ‘adopted’ these trees for recording in 2012 but do not claim to be an objective observer as the sight of them is like revisiting old friends. They probably are geriatric too, gaining popularity for parks and gardens in the late 19th/early 20th century.
'Clotho' & ' Lachesis', Camperdown Elms of Old St Pancras churchyard
For the sake of distinguishing them if needs be, I loosely refer to the trees as three sisters of Fate, Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos which appears to fit their unique characteristics well.1 They are in fact Ulmus glabra ‘Camperdownii’, commonly called the Umbrella Elms and noted for their fabulous contortions and short, fountainous stature.
With the warmest March on record I’d anticipated having missed their bursting into Spring growth that was evident in so many of our trees and shrubs. It was with both relief and surprise therefore that the only notable change I found was a fattening of buds in the fishbone tracery. Since these trees hold their leaves well into the Autumn it was perhaps not so surprising that they are tardy in donning vernal vestments
camperdown elm seedcases
However, closer examination of the Western, sunnier side, showed that some of the trees’ flowers had already been and gone, leaving behind scanty clusters of cascading seedcases.
Umbrella wych elm seedcases
Wych elms bear insignificant red-purple apetalous blooms, remnants of which are just discernible amongst the hop-like seed ensembles. Flowering is a blink-of-the-eye, hermaphrodite affair appearing before the leaves but I am somewhat puzzled as to why there are so many co-resident buds still unopened. Evidently this is a staggered event but out of curiosity I went further afield to investigate whether or not this only applied to these particular Camperdown Wych elms.
Cousin 'Embla' Ulmus glabra 'Horizontalis'
Meet Cousin ‘Embla 2 Looking somewhat glum and careworn, with broken top limbs, is a Weeping Wych Elm in Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury. Like the Camperdown cousins, this is another cultivar created about the same time and grafted as a pendulous elm suitable for gardens. 3 Ulmus glabra ‘horizontalis’ however has a more spreading and flattened canopy and with a much larger mature size. High up in the tree trunk bolls there was some evidence of newly emergent leaves but with neither flowers nor seeds within sight, I was even more baffled by the findings.
weeping wych elm in new leaf
The more I delve into knowledge of these wonderful Wych elms, the more mesmerised I become and what a marvel are the ruby-tipped, sulphurous samaras. With a discernible seed clenched between closed wings, no doubt these little packages will be unpacked in the next post.
seedcase samaras
Am linking up to create a forest of posts with Lucy and others at the Tree Followers.
Laura these elms are so unique..strong, gnarly and with such character…I love the seeds they produce.
Donna@Gardens Eye View read my post..Bloom Day Garden View-April 2012
Laura – Your love of trees is infectious! – you’ll make tree-huggers of us all.
b-a-g read my post..Pinks (15 APR 2012)
I can see they fit the churchyard. I find those gnarled trees somewhat creepy.
Elephant’s Eye read my post..April showers bring us flowers
There’s something magical about gnarled trees and their ancient beauty.
Brilliant post – very interesting!
The Sproutling read my post..Plant of the Month – April 2012
We, up north, have the wych elm more than the common elm and thus, though we did lose many trees, did not suffer as much as the south.
You can find many wonderful great trees on the following site -
http://www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk/project/
Duncan Darbishire read my post..WET GRASS, MANY PLANTS, WHERE DO I PUT THEM?
yes its more of a Northern native, Duncan and apparently grafted as a smaller tree more likely to escape the flight path of the Dutch elm beetle! many thanks for the link
I completely agree, the colour the seed casings is beautiful. The slight crinkly nature of them makes me think of crepe paper. Thank you for sharing.
wellywoman read my post..Laetitia Maklouf Book Giveaway
great description
- worthy of a poem I think Donna
- b-a-g they reach out and hug us as you are finding with the London plane
- I think of them as Gothic, Diana especially in this ancient churchyard where Mary Shelley courted
- glad you found it interesting too sproutling
Dear Laura: This is one of the best garden blog posts I’ve seen/read lately. Your love for these trees is clear, and your sweet descriptions make me wish I could drive on over for a visit. Very nice post.
PlantPostings read my post..Mayapples in April
What a lovely comment Beth – your sweet words make it all worthwhile
Hi Laura,
How fascinating.
I do so love the gnarled form they make. Something, just so magical and mysterious about them.
The doors in our home are made from Wych elm.
I did not realise. It was only when a historian visited that I found out.
how lovely – beautiful wood especially where burled and gnarled
That last photo is truly beautiful.
Carolyn @ Carolyns Shade Gardens read my post..Specimen Natives for Your Woodland
You really do love trees. I find trees almost infectious, with more and more to learn and love about them. I too like the contorted and gnarly varieties, they have so much character.
Donna read my post..Join Us Next Week for W4W
- yes the word is inspiring
One can’t help but stop and stare at gnarled trees. Umbrella Elms…Weeping Wych Elms…Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.
Dave@Gardening On A Dime read my post..Bird feeder battles: Winning the war against squirrels
like amazing works of art that make me stop and wonder. Thanks for stopping by