The county council is supporting the conservation of an endangered tree species that provides essential sustenance for a rare butterfly in Denbighshire.

The Denbighshire County Council's biodiversity team recently collected seeds from wych elms, found in Loggerheads County Park, to cultivate at the council’s Local Provenance Tree Nursery at St Asaph.

These will eventually be planted at the Green Gates Nature Reserve, adjacent to the nursery.

The endangered tree species provide essential sustenance for the rare white-letter hairstreak butterfly.

The endangered tree species provide essential sustenance for the rare white-letter hairstreak butterfly (Image: Supplied) The project, along with other initiatives at the site to protect local tree and wildflower species, is funded by the Welsh Government through the Local Places for Nature grant.

Wych elms are under threat from Dutch elm disease, leading to the felling of many mature trees and impeding the growth of younger ones.

The white-letter hairstreak butterfly, which was spotted at Loggerheads several years ago but remains scarce in the county, depends on the unopened flower buds of the wych elm for survival.

Sam Brown, tree nursery assistant, said: "The wych elms we have planted from seed at the nursery have grown really well.

"Its numbers have declined over the years due to Dutch elms disease and a reluctance to replant the tree.

"However, the wych elm is such an important source of food for the white-letter hairstreak butterfly, without them the butterfly would become extinct."

He further explained that the butterfly doesn't require mature elms but just young ones, old enough to flower and provide food.

He added: "What we have grown here, we can add to hedgerows to maintain their height, reduce the impact of Dutch elms disease and encourage flowering for many years before reaching maturity.

"This tree is a perfect example of how important it is to try and reverse the loss of trees and plants locally as they all play their part in providing a vital food source for insects and animals.

"The less we have around the county, the more at risk our local nature becomes."

Cllr Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport, and council biodiversity champion, said: "Our biodiversity team are working hard to protect many species that have become rare.

"This fantastic effort will not only help the white-letter hairstreak butterfly recover in our county, but it will also give our future communities a slice of nature from the past back to enjoy while outdoors."