Working to protect the elms

Assynt, a sparsely populated area north of Ullapool, is one of the last refuges for elms in mainland UK.

Decimated by Dutch elm disease, this rare refuge population is the focus of the Assynt Elm Project, dedicated to protecting and preserving the trees.

Thanks to support from Highland and Islands Conservancy, the project has been able to run a series of educational events to raise awareness and inspire community action.

Driving understanding of the elms' plight, as well as taking steps to encourage new growth, is key to their ongoing protection and survival.

This was brought to life by a series of educational and interactive sessions delivered by the Culag Community Woodland Trust, who run the Assynt Elm Project.

The topics ranged from elm identification and ecology, seed collection, sowing and tree planting, and charcoal making from a recently felled elm tree.

The final event in the series, called Elm Romance and held on Valentine’s Day, was in aid of Assynt's ‘lonely heart elms’ that grow too far from other elms and don’t produce seed.

The event involved taking saplings, raised from local seed and grown in the Assynt Community Tree Nursery, and planting them close to some of the mature isolated elms in the hope that they will successfully cross-pollinate.

Woodland Officer, Gareth Parkinson, from the north area team in Highland and Islands Conservancy said:

“This community project has had a really positive impact, engaging a range of local people, landowners, and organisations on elm ecology, conservation, and biosecurity.

"This raised awareness will hopefully enhance vigilance for the disease which could facilitate early intervention to slow the spread.

“Not only was the project well received in the local community, it also helps deliver an action in the Scottish Government’s strategic approach to Scotland’s rainforest.”

As well as receiving assistance from the Scottish Forestry Community Fund, the Assynt Elm Project has been supported by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, University of Highlands and Islands, Woodland Trust, St Andrews University, John Muir Trust, Highland Highlife Rangers, and local artists and photographers.

In terms of next steps, Scottish Forestry staff from Highland and Islands, Perth and Argyll and the Tree Health team, as well as representatives from FLS and the University of Highlands and Islands, recently met for initial discussions on elm conservation and where action could best be directed.

Gareth continued: “It fits well with our recent efforts within the Conservancy to update our knowledge of the extent of Dutch elm disease and consider how this might factor into woodland management and new woodlands. We are keen to encourage natural regeneration from healthy wych elms.”

The images in this article are courtesy of photographer Chris Puddephatt who is recording the elms of Assynt over a year. You can view more of his images in Chris's online gallery.