Belgian Elm

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The Belgian Elm U. x hollandica Belgica has a broad crown supported by a straight, rough-barked stem. Unusually thriving on poor sandy soils, it proved one of the fastest-growing elms in Europe, typically achieving heights of up to 40m. The large obovate to elliptic leaves are < 12 cm long by 5 cm wide, and terminate at the apex as a long, serrated point.

Reputedly raised in the nurseries of the Abbey of Dunes, Furnes (later Bruges) in the 18th century, it became hugely popular throughout Belgium and the Netherlands. It was planted in great numbers along roads, and also in parks and gardens, indeed, it was the loss of this particular elm, more than any other, to the earlier strain of Dutch elm disease that prompted the start of the Dutch elm breeding programme in 1928.

Rarely exported to the UK, there are few recorded introductions, but a specimen is retained in the NCCPG elm collection [1] held by Brighton & Hove City Council.

A more fastigiate but slower-growing variety, Dumontii (Dumont Elm), was also a popular choice for street planting in Belgium and France, notably at Versailles (town).


[edit] References

  • Elwes, H. J. & Henry, A. (1913). The Trees of Great Britain & Ireland. Vol. VII. pp 1848-1929. Private publication. [2]
  • Heybroek, H. (1993). The Dutch Elm Breeding Program. In Sticklen & Sherald (Eds.)(1993). Dutch Elm Disease Research, Chapter 3. Springer Verlag, New York, USA
  • Hilliers' Manual of Trees & Shrubs. (1977). David & Charles, Newton Abbot, UK.
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