Ulmus parvifolia 'A. Ross Central Park' = Central Park Splendor

Ulmus parvifolia
Cultivar	'A. Ross Central Park' = Central Park Splendor™
Origin	New York, USA

The Chinese Elm cultivar Ulmus parvifolia 'A. Ross Central Park' (selling name Central Park Splendor™) is probably the hardiest in cultivation and was patented in 1989 by David F. Karnosky.^[1] The original tree grew near the entrance to Central Park at the junction of Fifth Avenue with 72nd Street, and died in the 1990s aged over 100 years. The cloning project was initiated in 1976 by the Arthur Ross Foundation, and executed by the School of Forestry and Wood Products, Michigan Technological University, Houghton.

Description

Central Park Splendor is a medium-size tree rarely exceeding 13 m in height, with a broad, rounded crown. The leaves are glossy green, turning yellow in autumn. The mottled bark, its colour ranging from greyish orange to greyish brown, is considered comparatively dull by some.^[2]

Pests and diseases

The species and its cultivars are highly resistant, but not immune, to Dutch elm disease, and completely unaffected by the Elm Leaf Beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola .

Cultivation

Central Park Splendor is not known to be in cultivation beyond North America.

Synonymy

• 'Across Central Park': Dirr, M. A. & Richards, A. E. (1989), Amer. Nurseryman, 169 (3), 1989, in error.

Etymology

The cultivar name is for Arthur Vining Ross.

Accessions

North America

• Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, Illinois. No details available.
• New York Botanical Garden acc. nos. 301/92, 4732/95

Nurseries

North America

• J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. , Boring, Oregon
• Sun Valley Garden Centre , Eden Prairie, Minnesota

References

1. Santamour, F. S., & Bentz, S. E. Updated checklist of elm (Ulmus) cultivars for use in North America. Journal of Arboriculture, 21(3): May, 1995.
2. Grimshaw, J. & Bayton, R. (2009). New Trees - Recent Introductions to cultivation. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London. ISBN 9781842461730

External links

• http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/cultivars/ulmus_parvifolia.htm Ulmus parvifolia cultivar list.
• http://fletcher.ces.state.nc.us/programs/nursery/metria/metria11/warren/elm.htm Return of the Elm - the status of elms in the nursery industry in 2000. Warren, K., J. Frank Schmidt and Co.