Fresh growth on one of the 100 elms in Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff
A month ago we were coming to the end of a mini-heatwave, but now I can hardly remember a day without rain this summer. It’s very cool for August, too.
I visited the 100 disease-resistant elms, Ulmus ‘New Horizon’, in Pontcanna Fields one morning this week and drizzle was threatening.
The recent wet weather means the elms are looking as green as ever and not much has changed since last month.
The elms are looking good
Elm avenue looking south-west towards Pontcanna
Elm avenue looking north-east, towards the River Taff
Branch showing alternating leaves
Even the shoots from the base of the trunk look lush
When I visited the fields, the threatening rain meant I was surrounded with shrieking swallows (Hirundo rustica), catching the insects that are always flying low when it’s very overcast. I tried to catch a picture of them, but they were so fast and elusive!
A swallow in flight, with gulls, crows and wood pigeons beyond
A swallow – click on the image to go to the RSPB page
Broken crow feather among the clover
I think these are more of the second-flush Lammas leaves I mentioned last time
I’m not sure if these are new leaves of old leaves fading towards autumn
A fallen yellow elm leaf – there weren’t many around…
… I turned it over
While there are few signs of autumn for the elms, other tree species are starting to turn…
Lime (linden) tree in Pontcanna Fields
Fallen oak twig
Maple keys
The leaves of the horse chestnut (‎Aesculus hippocastanum) on the right are turning crisp and brown for autumn
A single elm
The sky through leaves
We have had strong winds and some small branches of the elms have broken
I think this is Matricaria matricarioides, also known as Matricaria discoidea, or pineappleweed
This is a plantain, possibly Plantago major, although it is kept small here because of mowing of the fields
The river end of the elm avenue
I wonder if we will be moving towards autumn next month? I’m told these elms have good autumn colour…
Find out more about the 100 elms here.
Or find out more about tree following here.
The Squirrelbasket 
I’m still taken by how neatly arranged the leaves look (photos 5 and 6). Maybe it’s because they seem to be lying almost in a single plane… not sure.
I thought of you when I took that picture, after your comment last time 🙂
My favourite photo is of the turned over yellow leaf. The day before yesterday I saw my breath for the first time when I went out. Seemed a bit early for it to be that cold – but maybe new climes, shorter summers?
Well, it is a bit colder “Up North” 🙂
We’ve been trailing lime leaves in for a couple of weeks Pat. But as you say, everything is looking rather lush from all the rain …
I wonder if we will get an “Indian summer” 🙂
I was only saying yesterday that September and October are often warm …