Ulmus 'Dodoens'

Ulmus hybrid
'Dodoens', Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, UK
Details
Hybrid parentage	('Exoniensis' × U. wallichiana) selfed
Cultivar	'Dodoens'
Origin	Wageningen, The Netherlands

The Dutch hybrid cultivar Ulmus 'Dodoens' was derived from a selfed seedling of a hybrid of the Exeter Elm Ulmus glabra 'Exoniensis', and the Himalayan Elm Ulmus wallichiana ^[1]. The tree was one of several cultivars prepared for release in 1970, but delayed by the outbreak of the new, aggressive strain of Dutch elm disease ^[2].

Description

A very fast-growing tree with upright branches, the generally ovate leaves are dark-green, glabrescent, < 14 cm in length by 10 cm broad, with a pronounced acuminate apex. The UK Champion tree at the Westonbirt Arboretum planted in 1981 measured 17 m in height, with a trunk 36 cm d.b.h. 21 years later in 2002.^[3]

• 

  'Dodoens' leaves

• 

  'Dodoens' with DED, Horsea Island, UK

Pests and diseases

'Dodoens' has moderately good resistance to Dutch elm disease, rated 4 out of 5 ^[4].

Cultivation

Eventually released in 1973, sales in the Netherlands dwindled from a peak of almost 16,000 in 1979 to 600 in 2004 ^[5][2]. Although still commercially available in Europe, the tree is no longer recommended for planting wherever the disease remains prevalent. 'Dodoens' was included in trials [3] in Canberra, Australia started in 1988, but has not thrived in that environment. It is not known to have been commercially released in North America although it was evaluated at the Iowa State University in the early 1970s where it perished, unable to tolerate the very cold winters. ^[6].

Etymology

The cultivar is named for the 16th century Flemish physician and botanist Rembert Dodoens.

Accessions

Europe

• Arboretum de La Petite Loiterie [4], Monthodon, France. No details available
• Brighton & Hove City Council, NCCPG Elm Collection [5], 1 large tree at Stanmer Park Arboretum, planted 1982. Many trees planted around the city.
• Grange Farm Arboretum, Sutton St. James, Spalding, Lincs., UK. Acc. no. 820.
• Royal Botanic Gardens Kew acc. nos. 1980-730, 2000-2071, 2001-839.
• Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, UK acc. nos. 1982:4060, 1993:1249.
• Westonbirt Arboretum [6], Tetbury, Glos., UK, acc. no. 1980/156, UK champion, 17m high, 36 cm d.b.h. in 2002 ^[7].

Nurseries

Europe

(Widely available)

References

1. ^ Heybroek, H. M. (1993). The Dutch Elm Breeding Program. In Sticklen & Sherald (Eds.)(1993). Dutch Elm Disease Research, Chapter 3. Springer Verlag, New York, USA
2. ^ Burdekin, D. A. & Rushforth, K. D. (Revised by Webber J. F. 1996). Elms resistant to Dutch elm disease. Arboricultural Research Note 2/96. Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service, Alice Holt, Farnham, UK
3. ^ Photograph of 'Dodoens' elm, [1].
4. ^ Heybroek, H. M., Goudzwaard, L, Kaljee, H. (2009). Iep of olm, karakterboom van de Lage Landen (:Elm, a tree with character of the Low Countries). KNNV, Uitgeverij. ISBN 9709050112819
5. ^ Hiemstra, J.A. et al. (2007). Belang en toekomst van de iep in Nederland. Praktijkonderzoek Plant & Omgeving, Wageningen UR, Netherlands.
6. ^ Gibbs, J. N., Brasier, C. M., McNabb Jnr., H.S., and Heybroek, H. M. (1975). Further studies on the pathenogenicity in Ceratocystis ulmi. Europ. Journ. Forest. Path. 5 (3): 161-174
7. ^ Johnson, Owen (ed.) (2003). Champion Trees of Britain & Ireland. Whittet Press, ISBN 978-1-873580-61-5.