This will act as both a gateway project and to ensure succession of a rare and slow growing species, which is also resilient to climate change.

The Zelkova Tree scheme Q&A

When will planting start and where will they go?

From November to March trees will be planted at sites on Sydenham Hill, South Croxted Road roundabout, Rosendale Road, Herne Hill, Denmark Hill, Calton Avenue, Lordship Lane and College Road.

Why are they special to the Estate?

The iconic specimen on College Road has guarded the entrance to Dulwich Village for over 200 years and has one of the largest girths of this species in the UK. The Zelkova is referenced in Trees of Dulwich (1902) written by M J Teesdale, which references the Zelkova being in the garden of Miss Druce.

It is protected by a tree preservation order with a listing on the ancient tree inventory, and also has its own Google map pin.

Who has paid for the project and how much is it costing?

The Dulwich Estate is paying for half of the project which is being match-funded by Lewisham and Southwark.

What makes the Zelkova special to Dulwich/the country?

As well as being important to local heritage, the species is closely related to the elm and was the first tree from the Caucasian biome to be grown in northern Europe. It has a cultivation history linked to ancient trade routes on the Silk Road. Due to increasing deforestation the conservation status of this species is now listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

How did the Zelkova originally arrive in Dulwich?

It may have been planted by Dulwich College’s late 18th century surveyor,
John Dugleby as part of his wider landscape improvements to hedgerows.