The end of the year for the 100 elms, Ulmus ‘New Horizon’, in Cardiff’s Pontcanna Fields – with next year’s buds waiting…
It’s time to say goodbye to the avenue of 100 disease-resistant elms, Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ in Cardiff’s Pontcanna Fields.
I visited for the last time on Christmas Day, when the trees were more or less the same as when I first chose them to follow just under a year ago.
Next month I will choose a new tree for 2018, but here I will look back with fondness on the year of the 100 elms…
General views:
Elms in late February 2017
Elms in early April
Elms in late April
Elms in early June – when there was a tent village next door for the European Champions League final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium
Elms in early July
Elms in early August
Elms in early September
Elms in early November
Elms in late November…
…starting to look bare
Some of the 100 elms on Christmas Day 2017
The life cycle of the tree…
Previous year’s dead leaves on the ground in mid January, 2017
Flower buds bursting in late February…
…and flowering
An elm seed in early April – of a type called a samara
The leaves sprouting in early April
Leaves and seeds together in late April
The leaves’ distinctive lopsided shape
The ground around the tree trunks was parched in late April
A grub of some sort warping a leaf in early June…
…and a fallen seed among dead grass on the ground
A few fallen yellow leaves in early August…
…and new lammas leaves at the same time
Sickly leaves in early September
More yellowing leaves in early October
Signs of blight in November – many Cardiff trees looked slightly sick this autumn, so perhaps it was the weather conditions
Orange leaves in late November as autumn came at last
The trees in their habitat…
Lichen on an elm in mid January 2017
Moss and lichen in early September
Celandine in the grass in early April
Clover in June
Buttercups in June
Daisy on Christmas Day 2017 – they are ALWAYS there
Carrion crow on an elm branch in late April
Jackdaw in the grass in late April
A swallow in flight in August – they were everywhere in the air but almost impossible to capture – in the background are gulls and crows
Swans on the nearby Taff riverbank in September
Black-headed gulls on the river bridge on Christmas Day
It has been an interesting year – but now I must choose a new tree for 2018. I have a few ideas but have definitely not made up my mind yet. Have you?
The Squirrelbasket 
This is a wonderful record. I think the parks department might be interested – and the gardeners proud. I suggest you draw their attention to this post.
What a great idea and your photography was excellent! 🌳
Just amateur snaps – but thank you 🙂
A lovely summery of the year of the elms. I look forward to seeing what your new tree(s) will be.
Thank you – still not sure 🙂
It’s been wonderful to follow your elms with you, as I love these trees and almost always photograph them when I’m in the vicinity.
I think I’m going to jump back in to tree following in 2018 – I have a tree in mind but want to check it out before I commit. Good luck choosing yours. 🙂
Lovely – please DO join us, as your pictures are always so good. I am still jealous of your picture of “my” elms in that particularly lovely autumn!
And did I mention I have seen the grebes on the dock by County Hall, as you said? But they are always a long way away.
Best wishes 🙂
Thanks, Pat. I’ve picked out my tree – another Bute beauty, and I know she’ll be stunning next autumn too.
Glad you saw the grebes. 🙂
I look forward to seeing your tree – now I am working in the Bay I don’t see Bute very much.
All the best 🙂