Epitaph for the Elm

Epitaph for the Elm by Gerald Wilkinson, published by Arrow Books in 1979, is a reflective work that explores the significance of the elm tree in the English landscape. Spanning 160 pages, this first edition delves into the historical and cultural connections that people have forged with elms over the past 8,000 years, highlighting their importance to country life, craftsmanship, and artistic expression.

Readers will find a poignant examination of the elm’s decline and the profound impact this loss will have on the English countryside for future generations. The book presents a memorial to the elm, intertwining themes of science, life sciences, and botany to underscore the tree’s ecological and cultural relevance. Through its exploration, Epitaph for the Elm serves as both an elegy and a call to recognize the value of this once-abundant species.