Let’s work together to bring back elm trees

DRIVING around West Cork this autumn, we have observed that the lushest vegetation in the hedgerows is from the elm family. These young trees are re-growths from the elms that died in the disease years.

Near Cork, particularly on the Coachford side, there are substantial trees up to 50ft in height. What a shame if they were to be wiped out again.

There are also many healthy trees in isolated places - west of Goleen and Castletownbere, as well as in many other sites - that need to be recognised and protected. It is possible to keep elm disease at bay with hygiene-felling and burning of all diseased branches.