Eastbourne Elms

At the end of November most of the trees have lost their leaves, with the exception of Oaks which are now a splendid orange. Elm trees, however, are only just starting to turn. Eastbourne has thousands of Elms, that somehow escaped the ravages of Dutch Elm disease in the 1970s. Elm lined avenues are still quite common.

The Elms are actively managed as Dutch Elm Disease is still with us. Each year many are felled at the first sign of any symptoms. 

Eventually the leaves become a marvellous yellow before falling thickly to the ground. This is described well in one of my favourite childhood books, Stig of the Dump.