Elm enthusiasts vist Wingham

Friday 24 July 2026

Cllr Martin Smith, Wingham Parish Council Chairman, with elm experts and enthusiasts in front of the Wingham Elm

18 elm experts and enthusiasts from the UK and Europe visited Wingham on Thursday 23 July 2026.

Having assembled at Lees Court Estate near Faversham, and visited elm trees at various locations in Kent, the visitors, accompanied by Lees Court Estate Administrator Elizabeth Roberts, came to Elgars Field, Wingham, to see the Wingham Elm tree.  

Many of those present knew and worked with David Herling, who developed the disease-resistant Wingham elm (Ulmus x Wingham), and were able to advise us on the tree and when we might see the elusive White-letter Hairstreak butterfly caterpillars that feed exclusively on elm trees.

For more information on the Wingham Elm, please visit our previous news page using this LINK