UNDER THE SHADE OF THE ELMS

The cultivation of elms in Australia began in the first half of the 19th century when European settlers imported species from their former homelands. Owing to the demise of elms in the northern hemisphere as a result of the Dutch elm disease pandemic, the mature trees in Australia's parks and gardens are now regarded as amongst the most significant in the world.

American Elm (Ulmus americana); Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia); Dutch Elm (Ulmus x hollandica); English Elm (Ulmus procera); Wych Elm or Scots Elm (Ulmus glabra) and many others can all be found growing in the temperate climate zones of Australia. The largest number of elm species are found in Victoria. The most common species found in older parks and gardens are the English Elm and the Dutch Elm. In Melbourne, boulevard plantings of elms were established from the latter half of the nineteenth century in Royal Parade (shown here), Victoria Parade and within the Fitzroy Gardens, and are registered as significant by the National Trust of Victoria.

The magnificent trees shown here outside the University of Melbourne provide welcome shade in summer and the green canopy is a welcome sight in the urban environment.

This post is part of the Scenic Weekends meme,
and also part of the Shadow Shot Sunday meme.