UHI Inverness lecturer launches children’s book as part of study to conserve elm trees

A researcher and lecturer at UHI Inverness has launched a children’s book as part of his pioneering study to conserve elm trees in the fight against Dutch elm disease.

Dr Euan Bowditch has distributed more than 1,000 copies of his book ‘The Elm Hunters’ to primary schools across Scotland and beyond as part of his Treescape Fellowship to tackle the Dutch elm epidemic.

Dr Bowditch, a researcher with the Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation at UHI Inverness, was made a Treescape Fellow in 2023 by the Future of UK Treescapes programme to support his work restoring wych elm tree populations in Scotland.

He wrote the book during his Treescape Fellowship project, which involved working in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to identify and collect samples from surviving wych elms in areas where intensive spread of Dutch elm disease had occurred. 

The study identified that Dutch elm disease had spread 90 miles further north in Scotland than previously thought. It also identified a host of new surviving wych elm that could be used as parent trees to cross-breed survivors that are adapted to different parts of the UK. 

Single leaf samples were taken from each of these trees and also those suffering from Dutch elm disease, DNA was then extracted and sequenced through genetic tests to find out whether these trees had any distinctive genetic similarities or differences to indicate levels of diversity within the species and discover any signs of populations resilient to the disease.

This project has recently been shortlisted as a finalist in The Herald Education Awards 2025. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Glasgow on Thursday, 29 May.

'The Elm Hunters' was inspired by dog walks with his two daughters and follows two slightly older sisters and their dog on their quest to find healthy elms that have not fallen to “The Fright”. They encounter all sorts of different tree species along the way.

The self-published book was illustrated by Madeline Smith and copies have been sent to approximately half of the primary schools in Scotland, along with an invitation to join the elm hunt. Many of these schools are close to case study sites or areas most likely to have unidentified wild elm survivors. The remainder went to some English, Welsh and international primary schools, as well as the nursery in the grounds of UHI Inverness. Dr Bowditch said:

“The main message from the book is to teach children and adults about trees they are likely to find in UK woodlands, but at the same time put a spotlight on one of our oldest and most devastating tree diseases, and educate them to recognise trees, the disease and survivors that could help in the species restoration.

“I wanted to find different ways to communicate these issues and while reading books to my two girls I could see the story formulating in my head. The Treescapes Fellowship allowed me to write a children’s book alongside conducting genetic and field research. I was also spurred on by seeing lots of children’s books about trees and nature that didn’t delve into the science and issues.

“The book is now one of the key outputs of the Treescape Fellowship and is the best way to communicate the issue to the public and the scientists of the future.” 

Dr Bowditch, who is also a lecturer at the Scottish School of Forestry at UHI Inverness, has held reading sessions at various local schools and is due to appear at the Ness Book Festival in October. A digital eBook version will be available soon.

“Eventually I would love to find a way to get the book into all primary schools in the UK.”

Said Dr Bowditch:

“I think as researchers we are normally pumping out manuscripts for academic papers and reports and rarely get to produce something so uninhibited and unashamedly colourful, which is refreshing.

“The message about conservation and science has gone down really well with the children. They are fascinated by the relationships and how the beetle and fungus can turn the elms into these standing skeletons. They want to know more and how they can help; they want to go out into the landscape and find these skeletons and the healthy elms that might be survivors and hold the key to the species survival.”

He found it a joy to write the book, which is dedicated to the elms and all those that are passionate about nature, and he has already sketched ideas for further stories about forests.

Dr Bowditch is grateful to illustrator Madeleine for bringing his story to life with beautiful and botanically accurate images, the Treescapes programme for their encouragement and his wife Lydia Crow for help with editing. He said:

“I think trying different more relatable ways to engage children with science and nature is needed, not just for children; science, especially academia can be lost on adults too and not very enjoyable to read about despite the work being fantastic and magical.”