 Viv
|
At a meeting at Bredhurst recently the topic of the presence of coppice Wych Elm in the woods at Bredhurst was discussed, this was a tree with which I was unfamiliar. Steve Wright kindly provided me later with this description which is very interesting. It is a tree littel seen in our Sussex woodlands, unless anyoone can inform me otherwise. Althought I wonder whether this might be th origin of Wych Cross up on Ashdown Forest?
Wych Elm is a member of the Elm family – (Ulmus Glabra), also known as Elm-Wych, Bough Elm and Scotch Elm.
It’s early uses were similar to Sweet Chestnut, as its foliage was used as fodder and bedding for cattle.It prefers upland soils and was more predominant in the north of the country.
It’s coppice was used for wooden water pipes (Pre metal, many towns had wooden water mains, Southampton was one), other uses were boat keels and rudders, furniture and coffins.
In lore it has an association with death possibly due to the heavy branches or boughs, dropping without warning and its use in coffin construction !.
It is susceptible from Dutch Elm disease, hence very few examples remain in the south, apart from the Brighton basin).
I hope this is of use to you and look forward to meeting you again in the future.
|
