The Parish Magazine January 2021

24 The Parish Magazine - January 2021
feature — 6
The 'Dutch pandemic' story that killed 25 millio
CHARVIL TREE WARDENS
AWARDED DISEASE-RESISTANT
ELM TREE FOR THE VILLAGE
In January 1972 a brief note in this magazine
heralded a story that has run for 49 years. The
note told residents in the Parish of St Andrew's
Church that 'The Forestry Commission has been
asked to give guidance on how Dutch elm disease
can be recognised at this time of the year—if this
is possible, and any information will be passed
on through the magazine'. The repercussions of
this destructive disease that spread throughout
Europe, the UK and North America is still
being felt today. Indeed, only 6 months ago the
Brighton Argus reported that Dutch elm disease
was 'killing off trees in an unusually severe
outbreak'.
The Argus report said, Brighton’s 17,000 elms are
at risk and the infection could wipe out thousands of
historic trees if it is not brought under control.
Last year, one of the city’s two 400-year-old elms,
known as 'The Twins', was felled in Preston Park after
contracting Dutch elm disease. It was planted in the
reign of James I.
Throughout the UK during the 1960's and 70's
Dutch elm disease has been responsible for an
estimated 25 million trees — about 90% of the
total — being lost. Despite its name, the disease
did not originate in the Netherlands — it is
named after Dutch scientists who identified the
ophiostoma ulmi fungus that attacks and kills the
trees. They also discovered that it was spread from
tree to tree by elm bark beetles.
While Dutch elm disease is still a threat today
— it is spreading slowly northwards across the
country — there are several types of diseaseresistant
species already available and others are
being developed.
UNEXPECTED WINNERS
In 2020, The Tree Council held a national
competition to celebrate the 30th year of its
volunteer tree warden scheme who were asked to
enter a suitable site for one of the new diseaseresistant
elm trees. There would be 30 winners.
Charvil's three tree wardens, led by Sarah
Swatridge, and supported by Charvil Parish
Council, submitted a site for an elm tree on the
mound at the opposite side of East Park Farm
playing field from the village school. Unexpectedly
Charvil wardens proposed site was chosen.
It is hoped that in years to come for future
generations the 'elm on the mound' will become
a local landmark that will be clearly seen as you
look across the playing fields from the village
school and pavilion. It will be a constant reminder
Above: Giant elm tree
Insert: An elm bark beetle
Below: View from the mound
Yuryz, Dreamstime.com
Alamy
Sue Peters
to children and adults alike of the importance of
caring for our environment and preserving it for
the future.
THE TREE COUNCIL
The Tree Council was formed in 1974 as the
parent charity for organisations in the UK
involved with caring for, conserving and planting
trees. It came about after the National Tree
Planting Year in 1973 which encouraged everyone
to 'Plant a Tree in 73'. (see archive account opposite)
In 1990, the Tree Warden Scheme, grew out
of the work of a few community-minded people
in Leicestershire and East Sussex who wanted to
plant and care for their local trees.
Today, there are thousands of volunteers
around the country who have planted, and care
for, millions of trees, rejuvenated woodlands,
created community orchards, and worked with
local authorities to establish and care for trees in
parks, woodlands and on the streets.