Ulmus glabra aka Wych Elm

Ulmus glabra, also known as the wych elm or Scots elm, is a large deciduous tree with a wide range in Europe, from Ireland to the Ural Mountains and from the Arctic Circle to the mountains of the Peloponnese and Sicily. It can also be found in Iran. This montane species prefers moist soils and high humidity, growing at elevations up to 1,500 m. In Scandinavia, it forms pure forests and can be found as far north as latitude 67°N. It has even been successfully introduced in northern Norway and Greenland. In the British Isles, Ulmus glabra was the most common elm, making it the only indisputably British native elm species. It was often referred to as the Scotch or Scots elm, and Loch Lomond's name is believed to be derived from the Gaelic term for "Lake of the Elms." Some closely related species were once considered part of Ulmus glabra, including Bergmann's elm and Manchurian elm. Conversely, Ulmus elliptica from the Caucasus is sometimes listed as a regional form of Ulmus glabra. The tree can reach heights of 20 to 30 meters, exceptionally growing up to 40 meters, with a diameter of 180 cm. It has spreading branches and a broad, rounded crown. The leaves are large, rough-surfaced, and dark green, turning yellow in autumn. Ulmus glabra is harvested from the wild for various purposes, including food, medicine, and materials. It is also grown as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, with smaller-growing cultivars available. The tree produces small, apetalous flowers in early spring before the leaves appear. These flowers are wind-pollinated and clustered in groups of 10 to 20. The fruit is a winged samara with a single seed in the center, maturing in late spring. Overall, Ulmus glabra is a resilient and adaptable tree with a rich history in Europe and the British Isles.