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Elm tree experts from across Europe have called for World Heritage Status for Brighton’s National Elm Collection, which holds the largest and most diverse population of elms in the UK.
As part of an elm conference organised by The Conservation Foundation, experts from Britain, Germany and the Netherlands met in the shade of some of Brighton’s finest elms in Preston Park, where they inspected a number of elms being developed which could have strong resistance to disease.
They also discussed how their combined expertise could support research to provide stocks of more elm varieties and be used to bring a new standard to tree production to avoid unproven claims which often lead to trees succumbing to disease.
Several types of elm have been introduced in the past 30 years with claims of resistance which have proved unfounded.
‘Elm trees are a significant part of Brighton & Hove’s natural heritage, indeed it’s hard to imagine the city’s streets and parks without them. Elms lend the city and landscape a distinct character and it’s essential we do all we possibly can to protect them.’
Caroline Lucas, Green party MP for Brighton Pavilion
The new group believes a ‘kite mark’ backed by their combined knowledge and experience would save costs to gardeners, local authorities and national governments in lost plants and provide new hope in developing Europe’s tree populations.
The conference was part of The Conservation Foundation’s Ulmus Maritime elm tree project for the Sussex coast, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It was supported by Hillier Nurseries, suppliers of the ‘New Horizon’ fully tested resistant elm.
‘Brighton’s elm population is amazing and still for many an unknown feature of its environment. Promoting its elms would bring visitors from far and wide and provide the city with a major added visitor attraction.
‘It is important we build on the success of today’s event. More recent tree pathogens, most notably ash dieback, have shown that all trees can become susceptible to destructive outbreaks and we cannot afford to forget about particular species. We almost lost our elm population once, we mustn’t get so close again to the edge.’
David Shreeve, Director of The Conservation Foundation
Delegates included many of Europe’s leading figures active in the area of elm disease control, management of mature trees and propagation of disease resistant varieties.
Click here to find out more about the Conservation Foundation’s Great British Elm Experiment.
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