The Kew hardback has 250 colour photos, with photographer Sam Ford contributing some amazing images.
You can't say elm without adding the words 'Dutch' and 'disease', after UK trees were decimated by DED in the 1970s. This was a prelude to many other pests and diseases, such as ash dieback, that have changed the face of the UK landscape (and tree growing industry) in the last 50 years.
But Conservation Foundation and Elms Across Europe founder Shreeve and former foreign correspondent Seddon see hope for the elm.
They speak with Kew's Tony Hall, former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas and Duchy of Cornwall head forester Geraint Richards learning about elm conservation.
There are disease-resistant trees out them, including from Hillier, and Brighton has its own collection, protected by hills from the infected spores.
Globalisation and climate change are to blame for the demise of tree species such as elms, ash, and indeed threats to oak and horse chestnut among others. Lack of controls is another issue. But the authors say there is a very positive future for the godfather of tree pest disasters, the elm. They say disease-resistant varieties and building polygenic resilience into new breeding are the ways forward. There's little sign of progress with ash, for instance and It's taken 50 years for elms to make a limited comeback, but for the sake of biodiversity and wildlife we have to trust the concluding statement: "There is every chance we will see that landscape return in our lifetimes."
