A tree expert who was instrumental in work to fight Dutch elm disease will be remembered for his passion for nature and people.

Melvyne Crow, a former landscape and countryside manager for Braintree Council, worked with the Forestry Commission and timber industry experts to try and halt the disease, which wiped out 25 million trees in the 1960s.

He took cuttings from four healthy elms in the 1980s and propagated them.

About 50 elms grown from the cuttings survive in the Braintree district.

Mr Crow, of Church Street, Bocking, died on August 19, aged 65, following complications connected with kidney problems.

His wife of 34 years, Sarah, said he enjoyed being outdoors and working with people.

“We have had lots of lovely letters from people,” she said.

“He liked to be able to help people with anything that he could.

“The local area was also important to him.”