Nature-ist Newsflash: Elm Trees to Make a Comeback

Calling all treehuggers! One of London's best loved indigenous trees is getting some much needed help. The capital's elm tree population was decimated by Dutch Elm disease in the 1970s, but there are still a few left standing. A new elm census is to be carried out by the Conservation Foundation after they received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project, Ulmus Londinium, will be accompanied by an educational programme, designed to teach young Londoners about all things elm-shaped, -hewn and -fashioned, and also an elm-themed exhibition. And then they plan to get planting: 100 new elm trees will be dotted around the city, with preference being given to streets featuring the word elm. In the meantime, if you don't know your elms from your elders, we've just found this really handy website to help you identify any pet trees in your hood...