For elm tree planting week the magnificent trees are being planted in nearly every borough of the capital. The campaign to plant disease-resistant elm trees is part of a plan to increase numbers of this beautiful species which was decimated by disease. Elms provide an essential habitat for rare creatures such as tussock moths and are a source of food for honey bees early in the season. 

As part of the campaign to restore numbers and increase biodiversity, a number of London’s major parks have come together to plant elms and are encouraging other parks and members of the public to do the same. 

Yesterday (Thursday, February 24, 2022), trees were planted at Kensington Gardens and Brompton Cemetery, The Royal Parks, The Royal Hospital Chelsea as well as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 

Her Majesty The Queen’s Head Gardener and multiple friends and community groups have all planted carefully-selected trees at key sites this week.  

Mark Lane, Her Majesty The Queen’s Head Gardener, who chairs the group behind this campaign, says: ‘This is the culmination of an intensely worthwhile campaign to plant more disease resistant elm trees across London. 

‘So many of these majestic trees have been lost from the London landscape that we now have the opportunity to bring more of these important landmarks back to the city. 

‘Elm trees have great beauty and presence in their own right as well as providing a huge benefit for the diversity of wildlife that is dependent on them and for the people of London as well.’ 

Ruth Holmes, Design Principal, Landscape and Public Realm at London Legacy Development Corporation, said: ‘It’s wonderful to now include elms among the 6,000 trees on the Park, many that were once common in the capital. This wide variety of trees helps to sustain an intricate and thriving network of plants, animals and insects for us all to enjoy. 

‘The trees are a great addition in this the 10th anniversary year since the Olympic and Paralympic Games.’ 

Ian Rodger, arboricultural manager, The Royal Parks, said: ‘We are delighted to join forces with other green spaces across London by planting elm trees in Kensington Gardens and Brompton Cemetery, during elm tree planting week. 

‘This initiative boosts our charity’s work to support a rich biodiversity of wildlife, such as the creation of meadowland on Buck Hill. 

‘As well as providing valuable habitats for invertebrates such as the White-letter Hairstreak, the new elm trees will contribute to the beautiful treescape in the parks for all to enjoy.’

Ric Glenn, Grounds Manager from The Royal Hospital Chelsea said: 

“The Royal Hospital Chelsea is pleased to support the Elms for London initiative by planting this disease-resistant Elm tree, Ulmus ‘New Horizon’. The loss of so many Elm trees from the landscapes of London, by what is known here as Dutch Elm Disease, has been devastating. Elms are a vital habitat for many species of fauna and support a food chain, so there has been a wider loss to our biodiversity. We’re thrilled to plant our tree in the Hospital’s Ranelagh Gardens where it will be enjoyed by Chelsea Pensioners and the local community for years to come.” 

The Elms for London Project is a project supported by the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association. This year the aim is to plant an elm tree in every London borough including the City of London and celebrate planting of trees throughout the capital. Elm Planting Week kick starts the project with disease resistant trees being supplied to a variety of organisations to plant in public places.