Ulmus serotina

Ulmus serotina
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Ulmaceae
Genus: Ulmus
Species: U. serotina
Binomial name
Ulmus serotina
Sarg.
Natural range of Ulmus serotina
Synonyms
  • Ulmus divaricata C. H. Mull.
  • Ulmus multinervosa C. H. Mull.

Ulmus serotina Sarg., the September elm, is an American species uncommon beyond Tennessee; only very locally distributed through Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia, growing predominantly on limestone bluffs and along streams to elevations of 400 m.[1] The tree is also endemic to Nuevo León in Mexico [2] .

Description

Rarely exceeding 20 m in height, the tree has a rounded crown with spreading to pendulous branches. The glabrous young shoots become progressively corky-winged with age, and bear oblong to obovate leaves <8 cm long. The wind-pollinated apetalous perfect flowers form pendulous racemes which open in September and serve to distinguish the species from its compatriot, the cedar elm U. crassifolia, with which it readily hybridizes. The samarae are oblong-elliptical, 1015 mm in length, deeply divided at the apex, and ripen in November .

Pests and diseases

The species is highly susceptible to Dutch elm disease.

Cultivation

Before the outbreak of Dutch elm disease, U. serotina enjoyed limited popularity as a shade-tree in the southern part of its range. The tree grows well on most soils but is intolerant of anaerobic or saline conditions; it is also frost-tolerant to - 30°C. (-23 F). The September elm is very rare in cultivation in Europe,[3] and it is not known to have been introduced to Australasia. There are no known cultivars of this taxon, nor is it known to be in commerce.

Notable trees

The USA National Champion, measuring 25.5 m high in 2007, grows in Davidson County, Tennessee.[4]

Hybrids

Accessions

North America
Europe
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References

  1. Duncan, W. H., & Duncan, M. B. (2000). Trees of the Southeastern United States, 234238. Athens, Georgia, USA. ISBN 0-8203-2271-7
  2. Todzia, C. A. & Panero, J. L. (2006). A new species of Ulmus (Ulmaceae) from southern Mexico and a synopsis of the species in Mexico. Brittonia, Vol 50, (3): 346
  3. Bean, W. J. (1981). Trees and shrubs hardy in Great Britain, 7th edition. Murray, London.
  4. American Forests. (2012). The 2012 National Register of Big Trees.
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