Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer I' explained

Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer I'
Species:	Ulmus parvifolia
Cultivar:	'Emer I' or 'Emerald Isle' =
Origin:	US

The Chinese Elm cultivar Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer I' or 'Emerald Isle' (trade designation:) was cloned from a tree planted circa 1920 on the University of Georgia campus at Athens.^[1]

Description

Athena is a small tree rarely exceeding 6 m in height, with a slightly broader, dense and rounded crown.^[2] The leaves are a medium, glossy green, turning drab brown in autumn. The exfoliating, mottled bark is considered very attractive.^[3]

Pests and diseases

The species and its cultivars are highly resistant, but not immune, to Dutch elm disease, and unaffected by the Elm Leaf Beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola.^[4] As with the species overall, damage caused by Japanese Beetle is relatively slight.^[5]

Cultivation

Athena featured in the elm trials http://www.for.nau.edu/cms/content/view/512/706/ conducted by Northern Arizona University at Holbrook, Arizona, but was unsuited to the hot, arid climate and sustained over 50% mortality in its first year. It is currently being evaluated in the National Elm Trial https://web.archive.org/web/20110721154215/http://treehealth.agsci.colostate.edu/research/nationalelmtrial/NET_Cultivars.htm coordinated by Colorado State University. Athena was introduced to Australia in 2002 as part of the Australian Urban Street Planting Programme http://www.austep.net.au/evaluations.asp?site_ref=37; it is not known to have been introduced to Europe.

Synonymy

? 'Athena Classic' (unchecked name)

Accessions

North America

Bartlett Tree Experts, US. Acc. nos. 96-2159, 2000-076,077,079,081,083,084, 2003-941,942, 00-064, L467, L468.
New York Botanical Garden, US. Acc. no. 3934/95
University of Idaho arboretum, US. One tree. Acc. no. 1998011
U S National Arboretum http://www.usna.usda.gov/index.htm, Washington, D.C., US. Acc. no. 69142.

Nurseries

North America(Widely available)

Fleming's Nursery http://www.flemings.com.au/, Monbulk, Victoria, Australia.

External links

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/cultivars/ulmus_parvifolia.htm Ulmus parvifolia cultivar list.
https://web.archive.org/web/20030413074605/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.

Notes and References

Santamour . Frank S. . Bentz . Susan E. . May 1995 . Updated Checklist of Elm (Ulmus) Cultivars for use in North America. Journal of Arboriculture . 21 . 3. 122–131 . 20 June 2016.
Web site: Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer I' = ATHENA . JC Raulston Arboretum . 2018-08-01 . 41677.
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/plantpathology/vaillanc/for410/Dutch%20Elm%20Disease/BASIC/DED/CORE/00/00/F17.HTML#_Athena ca.uky.edu, Plant Pathology, Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer I' = ATHENA
Web site: Elm Leaf Beetle Survey. 17 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20110719132152/http://www.sunshinenursery.com/survey.htm. 2011-07-19.
Brady, C., Condra, J., & Potter, D. (2008) Resistance of Landscape-suitable Elm (Ulmus spp.) Cultivars to Japanese Beetle, Leaf Miners, and Gall Makers. 2008 Research Report, Nursery & Landscape Program, pp 15, 16. University of Kentucky.