One of very few yellow leaves fallen from the 100 elm trees in Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff
I really shouldn’t be disappointed, but I was hoping for a hint of fall colour in the 100 disease-resistant elms, Ulmus ‘New Horizon’, in Pontcanna Fields this month. After all, September is officially the start of autumn, according to the weather people.
The trees may still be as green and lush as ever, but the weather has definitely become more “back-end-ish” as the daylight hours grow shorter. The summer never did come to anything, the rain continues and now it’s getting colder, too.
There’s that distinctive something in the air that inspires nostalgia for childhood and renewed ambitions to cuddle up and do something creative.
I visited the elms before last night’s Storm Aileen, so I won’t know if any serious damage has been done until next time. I expect many leaves and twiglets have been torn off, if the ash trees in my garden are anything to go by.
Anyway, here are the elms pictured on September 7…
Approaching the elm avenue
Heading towards the river
Looking back in the other direction – dog walkers and cyclists love this avenue
Veined green leaves
A low-hanging branch – mostly I have to view the leaves from below, so this is a treat
These are probably the late lammas leaves, now hardening off
The leaves at the top of the trees always seem a lighter colour
A dead branch
Only a few leaves look sick
I had to look hard to find these lemon-coloured autumn leaves
Moss and lichen are a permanent feature of the furrowed red trunks
Nearby horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) and maple (Acer) make their own arrangements for autumn
The River Taff end of the avenue
View from the river
Near the bridge were these swans, now quite common on the river…
…and here’s a closer look – I think by their beaks and the fact that they breed here that they are mute swans (Cygnus olor)
As I walked into town along the river I realised that I can see the avenue from a long way away – the very tall trees beyond are an avenue of old lime trees (Tilia) – and note the rugby and football goal posts – a sure sign of winter on its way!
I wonder if we will see genuine autumn gold next month…
Find out more about the 100 elms here.
Or find out more about tree following here.
I am so pleased to see these Elms, I miss them so much since they formed an integral part of my childhood and youth. Thank you for posting pictures of them.
Thank you – glad you liked them!
It’s just sad that they aren’t exactly the same species we used to see in my childhood before Dutch elm disease.
Best wishes 🙂
I was struck by the moss and lichen photo. Their arrangement is so different from the orderly trees! I think you mentioned in a past post the trees’ age, but I’ve forgotten … ? In any case, it seems these “lower” organisms establish fairly rapidly, that’s neat.
It’s a good time for moss at the moment – lots of lovely little seed capsules on some of them, which always remind me of H G Wells’ War of the Worlds for some reason.
All the best 🙂