Some would consider the English Elm (Ulmus procera) a tree not to be planted in some parts of Australia, emerging as a potential environmental weed. It could also be regarded as a problematic choice, because of the trees tendency to be a favourite host of the Elm Leaf Beetle and Dutch Elm Disease. The later, devastating the mature Elm population of Melbourne’s CBD.

It is hard to deny the amenity, heritage value and ‘sense of place’ these old Elms can provide, such as the old stand (well over a hundred years) in Stevens Park, Rockley, 30km south of Bathurst. There is something about walking under the golden yellow canopies of the Elms in the park this time of year, with the falling leaves graceful in a gentle wind and tactile under foot.