Dutch elm disease is presently only actively controlled in a few areas of the United Kingdom, and there is no requirement to notify infected trees. However, if you want to be reminded of how beautiful mature elms can be, you may do so by visiting the elms in and around Brighton and Hove. These are mostly descendants of 17th- and 18th-century elms that have been saved from the tree surgeon's axel. In addition, there are a number of small isolated colonies of disease-free elms in parks and public spaces across southern England. One such colony is located in Dedham within the boundaries of Sutton District Council. There are also several smaller colonies in Surrey including one in Hillingdon near where the River Baker flows into the Thames near Richmond. These elms were all planted between 1890 and 1920 as part of a scheme to re-vegetate open spaces after the devastation of the Victorian era. They represent the best hope for the future survival of this important species in Europe. In fact, British elms have been used in continental Europe as a source of wood since at least 1629 when an elm tree was brought from London to Brussels. Although most of these trees died, a few survived to grow up alongside new trees sent from home.