Ulmus × hollandica 'Belgica'

Infobox Cultivar | name = "Ulmus × hollandica"
hybrid = "U. glabra" × "U. minor"
cultivar = 'Belgica'

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image_caption = Belgian Elms in the Netherlands. Photo: Ronnie Nijboer, Bonte Hoek kwekerijen.
origin = Belgium The Belgian Elm "Ulmus × hollandica" 'Belgica' became hugely popular throughout Belgium and the Netherlands in the 19th century Elwes, H. J. & Henry, A. (1913). "The Trees of Great Britain & Ireland". Vol. VII. pp 1848–1929. Private publication. [http://fax.libs.uga.edu/QK488xE4/7tgbi/] ] .

Description

The tree has a broad crown supported by a straight, rough-barked stem. Unusually thriving on poor sandy soils, it proved one of the fastest-growing elms in Europe, typically achieving heights of up to 40m. The large obovate to elliptic leaves are < 12 cm long by 5 cm wide, and terminate at the apex as a long, serrated point.

Pests and diseases

Very susceptible to Dutch elm disease, it was the loss of this particular elm, more than any other, to the earlier strain of the disease which prompted the inauguration of the Dutch elm breeding programme in 1928 Heybroek, H. (1993). The Dutch Elm Breeding Program. In Sticklen & Sherald (Eds.)(1993). "Dutch Elm Disease Research", Chapter 3. Springer Verlag, New York, USA] . 'Belgica' is also very vulnerable to verticillium wilt Pegg, G. F. & Brady, B. L. (2002). "Verticillium Wilts". CABI Publishing. ISBN 0851995292] .

Cultivation

Reputedly raised in the nurseries of the Abbey of the Dunes (Abdij Ten Duinen), Veurne, (later removed to Bruges) in the 18th century, it was planted in great numbers along roads, and also in parks and gardens "Hilliers' Manual of Trees & Shrubs". (1977). David & Charles, Newton Abbot, UK ] . The UK champion tree was located at North Inch, Perth, (34 m high, 100 cm d.b.h. in 1987) but it is not known whether it survives.

ynonymy

*"Ulmus batavina": Koch, "Dendr." 2 (1): 414 1872).
*"Ulmus belgica": Weston, "Fl. Angl." 46. 1775.
*"Ulmus campestris (: minor) bataviana": Simon-Louis, (Metz, France, Catalogue, 1869.
*"Ulmus montana (: glabra)" var. "belgica"
*"Ulmus × hollandica" var. "belgica"

Accessions

;North America
*Arnold Arboretum acc. no. 322-81
*Longwood Gardens acc. no. 1967-0877
*Morton Arboretum acc. no. 1457-24 ;Europe
*Brighton & Hove City Council, UK, NCCPG Elm Collection [http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1108042] , Donald Hall Road, Brighton, 23 m high, 65 cm d.b.h. in 2001.

Nurseries

None known.

References