Visit this
Could you spot an English elm at 40 paces? Me neither. But here’s a chance to learn about this iconic tree: an installation at Somerset House in London marks National Tree Week. The free exhibition tells the story of the elm, from its role as the raw material that helped bring piped water to the capital, to its sad decline in the 1970s in the wake of Dutch elm disease.
Try this
If your garden (or your neighbours’) is packed with trees, there’s a good chance your gutters are choked with leaves right now. Once they’re cleared, keep them that way by investing in a Hedgehog gutter brush: it clips into your gutters to keep them clear of debris.
Plant this
A medlar is the perfect mix of beauty and utility: spring blossom, autumn foliage and lashings of fruit. Medlar ‘Nottingham’ is a vigorous tree with a height and spread of 4m x 4m. It will fruit three or four years after planting. Rootstock: ‘Quince A’. Buy one root-wrap tree for £28.99 or two for £49.98 (prices include free UK mainland p&p). To order, call 0330 333 6856, quoting ref GU465, or go to our Readers’ Offers page.
