20. Pickenham Zelkova
A characterful giant is hidden away in a sleepy Norfolk village churchyard
On the northern edge of St Andrew’s churchyard, the Pickenham Zelkova cuts a distinctive witches broom silhouette, something which is particularly apparent in winter. It is a large tree forming a mass of upward sweeping branches from a short bole. Caucasian zelkovas are handsome but rather rare, so it is a surprise to encounter one in this quiet Norfolk village.
Species details
Caucasian Zelkova
Zelkova carpinifolia
Where to find it
St Andrews church, Hillside, North Pickenham PE37 8JZ
///punctual.finishers.kingpin | 52.628355, 0.754642
Caucasian zelkova notes
Anyone encountering a mature Caucasian zelkova for the first time will remember the event. They are one of the most spectacular trees, but are surprisingly rare. Occasionally they appear as giant overgrown coppice stools with multiple trunks, but most often they look like the North Pickenham tree – a short buttressed trunk sprouting a mass of branches above head height. As well as the distinctive silhouette, Caucasian zelkova smooth, mottled bark is memorable, as are their gently toothed leaves. In the past, zelkovas have often been known as ‘Caucasian elms’, a nod to their being in the Ulmaceae family, but to call them an elm seems rather inaccurate and bars us using the wonderful ‘zelkova’ moniker, a name full of promise (derived in fact from their Georgian name, ძელქვა), and of course one that begins with ‘Z’: always interesting in the English language. Being related to elms, there has been some indication that this species may be susceptible to Dutch elm disease, but few trees in the UK seem to have been infected.
Urban Tree Festival
Welcome to those who have signed up for Daily Urban Tree posts during the Urban Tree Festival between 13-21 May. Before the festival, and after, I will be posting regular accounts of great British and Irish urban trees, just not one everyday!