Chipping Norton Green Gym

Since its appearance in the U.K. in the late 1960s, the now infamous Dutch elm disease has killed millions of elm trees here over the last 50 years. It has changed parts of our landscape forever and is still spreading north. However, thanks to the painstaking breeding of hybrids, there now exist varieties with noted similarity to the lost English elms  (ulmus procera) but which are, it is claimed, completely resistant to the disease.

Although there still exist surviving mature elm trees in Britain, they have all vanished from Chipping Norton, and are remembered only in the local name Elmsfield. Now, Green Gym have planted a small number of elm saplings alongside the drive to Elmsfield Farm, which also leads to the Community Orchard. It is hoped that at some time in the future, they will resemble those in this photograph and recreate a glorious scene from the past.

The annual Blossom Day festival will take place on Sunday May 11th, from 12 to 3, at the Chipping Norton Community Orchard. Admission is free and all are welcome. Parking space is limited – please come on foot if at all possible. For details on how to get there, parking, and a map of the location, see here.