Problems in elm and rose Identifications
Methods
1 Identification and recording (at regular intervals).
2 Special studies of particular species.
3 Population studies and sampling, principally by trapping invertebrates.
4 Measurements of temperatures by soil and air thermometers, and light intensity with a light
meter.
5 Measurements of pH and humus of soils.
6 Transects to demonstrate profiles.
7 Use of aerial photographs, maps and Parish Perambulation records to confirm and extend
deductions made from the distribution of plants.
8 Use of 19th century census data and other historical documents to extend understanding of the
people of the area, and their interactions with their environment.
9 Statistical analyses of various collected data.
This paper presents only two of the special studies (method 2 above) but the complete account of all
the work can be found in a bound report (Broughton & Wright 2000).
Results I
Elms
Although the area has been ravaged by Dutch Elm disease (Gibbs et al. 1977), there remain a few
large standing trees and a considerable amount of scrubby and hedgerow growth. Identifying Wych
Elm, Ulmus glabra Huds., was relatively simple, as it docs not sucker, and is reputed to produce
viable seed. There are rust-coloured hairs on the bud-scales, and leaf tips are often trident-like. The
short petiole is usually nearly obscured by the overlapping, longer side of the leaf blade (see Fig. 2).
However, identifying the other elms, which sucker freely and are not supposed to produce viable
seed, proved to be a major puzzle.
Fig.2. Elm leaf blade
Length
14s
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 18 (2001)