Ulmus 'Klemmer'

Infobox Cultivar | name = "Ulmus"
cultivar = 'Klemmer'
origin = Belgium

'Klemmer' or the Flanders Elm, is probably one of a number of hybrids arising from the crossing of the Wych Elm "Ulmus glabra" with a variety of Field Elm "Ulmus minor". Regarded by Green Green, P. S. (1964). Registration of cultivar names in Ulmus. "Arnoldia", Vol. 24. Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University. [http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/pdf/articles/1605.pdf] ] as "possibly "U. carpinifolia (: minor)" but probably "U. × hollandica"."

Description

A rapid growing tree, tall with ascending branches initially forming a narrow, pyramidal head which later broadens, and producing numerous root-suckers and some epicormic shoots. The straight, cylindrical stem has a smooth bark. The leaves are ovate, < 75 mm long by < 50 mm broad, shortly acuminate at the apex, the upper surface scabrous and glabrescent. The samarae are distinguished by a seed situated close to the emargination. The timber is reddish in hue, strong but liable to warping.

Pests and diseases

'Klemmer' has no significant resistance to Dutch elm disease.

Cultivation

Before the Dutch elm disease pandemic, the tree was widely planted across northern France, where it was much esteemed for its timber and rapid growth. Before the First World War two specimens were established by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, one of which survives at Wakehurst Place Elwes, H. J. & Henry, A. (1913). "The Trees of Great Britain & Ireland". Vol. VII. pp 1848-1929. Private publication, Edinburgh. [http://fax.libs.uga.edu/QK488xE4/7tgbi/] ] .

NB. Not to be confused with 'Klehmii', a cultivar of "Ulmus americana".

ynonymy

*'Klemmer Rouge': Feneau, "Bull. Fed. Soc. Centr. For. Belg." 9: 162, 1902.
*l'orme champetre "klemmer": Gillekens, "Elem. Arb. Forest." 41, 1891
*"Ulmus campestris (: minor)" var. "Clemmeri": Lavallée "Arb. Segrez". 235, 1877.
*"Ulmus klemeri": Späth nursery, Berlin, 1900.

Accessions

North America

*Morton Arboretum, acc. no. 535-49

Europe

*Brighton & Hove City Council NCCPG Elm Collection. UK champion: Hove Cemetery, 19 m high, 73 cm d.b.h. in 2001 Johnson, Owen (ed.) (2003). "Champion Trees of Britain & Ireland". Whittet Press, ISBN 9781873580615] .
*Royal Botanic Garden Wakehurst Place, UK, acc. no. 1908-14108

References