April 19th 2024.
Deep in the remote reaches of Glen Affric stands an ancient elm tree, a solitary figure that has stood strong for centuries. This grand wych elm, affectionately known as the Last Ent of Affric in homage to the wise tree-beings from Tolkien's beloved Lord of the Rings, now takes on a new role as the guardian of a new generation of its species.
The Last Ent has been selected to aid in the fight against Dutch Elm disease, a deadly fungal infection that has decimated elm populations across the country. Thanks to a joint effort between the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the University of the Highlands and Islands, and landowners such as Forestry and Land Scotland, thirty-five young elm trees have been carefully transferred and replanted in the shadow of the Last Ent. This is just the beginning, as a total of 200 trees will be planted over the next two years.
The project aims to save the wych elm from extinction by cultivating disease-resistant seedlings and planting them in suitable areas, such as Glen Affric. It is hoped that these young trees will cross-pollinate with each other, and perhaps even with the mature elm, to aid in the species' recovery. This is a vital step in the restoration of one of Scotland's most majestic native trees, which has suffered decades of loss.
FLS forester Sam Brown explains, "Having lived in isolation, miles away from any other elm trees, the old elm of Glen Affric has been spared from the devastation of Dutch Elm disease." It is fitting, then, that the project to save the wych elm species has been chosen for this remote site in Forestry and Land Scotland-managed Glen Affric.
"Glen Affric is also a beneficiary of our ongoing conservation efforts," Brown continues. "We work closely with our partners to manage deer populations, which can cause damage to young trees. By protecting these trees from deer, we give them a better chance of survival." The FLS teams, specifically the craftsperson squad, have been working tirelessly in all weather conditions and on difficult terrain to install a fenced enclosure that has made this project possible. This is just one example of FLS's commitment to preserving Scotland's most threatened species.
The wych elm's recovery is part of a larger project to increase the numbers and distribution of ten threatened native plants. This project has been made possible by a three-year grant of £715,000 from the Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund. Dr Max Coleman, from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, explains, "Using surviving, large wych elms in the Scottish Borders, which have been exposed to Dutch Elm disease for around 40 years, we have bred a new generation of seedlings that we hope have inherited disease resilience from both parents." These promising trees' offspring are now being planted in carefully selected sites that meet their needs and offer potential for natural spread. This work is crucial in creating new populations of wild elms that possess the necessary genetic diversity to adapt and survive in a changing environment.
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