Schools dig in to save British elm

A CONSERVATION charity is attempting to boost the number of elm trees by giving saplings to schools across the country.

The Great British Elm Experiment is using young trees bred from mature healthy, native elms to try to re-establish them.

The British elm was nearly destroyed by Dutch elm disease, which has killed about 25 million trees since the 1960s.

The schools will log their trees' progress, noting height, girth, biodiversity and any signs of disease.