HOW TO KNOW THE TREES 

 GROWING IN BRITAIN 



With Notes, descriptive and photographic, for their Identification 

 in all Seasons of the Year 



By HENRY IRVING 



THE ELMS 



WE have two groups of these trees themselves, they choose the places of 



which find representation in the man's labour " under the sun." There 



Common Elm and the Wych they group themselves and thrive, but 



Elm. The Common Elm is most abund- they cannot endure the town. 



'"N^-'eBK^**^ 



Wych Elm, 

 LEAVES OF THE ELMS. 



ant in the Midlands and the South, 

 the Wych Elm in the North and in 

 Scotland. Tall-growing, holding them- 

 selves firmly erect, almost soldierly in 

 bearing, sentinels of the plains, wardens of 

 the fields, on guard about the farmsteads 

 or beside the village green, their presence 

 is always notable. Companionable among 



Common Elm. 



In winter the Elm's 

 uprightness is particu- 

 larly marked. From the 

 sturdy central stem, gene- 

 rally at a fair height 

 from the base, the strong 

 — i branches uplift them- 

 selves, tapering gently to 

 the furthermost twigs. 

 The multitudinous cross- 

 ings and interlacings of these terminal 

 twigs enclose the tree in a closely set 

 fringe as of finest filigree. 



In spring, quite early, this outer fringe 

 changes colour, deepens and reddens to 

 a rosy glow that seems almost to emit 

 light and warmth, a foretaste of more 

 genial days, though yet the skies may 



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