Downton Elm

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The Downton Elm U. hollandica Smithii was one of a number of cultivars arising from the crossing of the Wych Elm U. glabra with a variety of Field Elm U. minor. It originated as one of a batch of seedlings raised at Smith's Nursery, Worcester, England, from seeds obtained from a tree in Nottingham and planted at Downton Castle at the beginning of the 19th century. It made a small tree < 10 m high, with ascending branches bearing long pendulous shoots. The oval leaves are dark green and glabrous above, < 8.5 cm long by 4.0 cm wide, long acuminate at the apex. Susceptible to Dutch elm disease, there are no known examples currently in cultivation in the UK.

[edit] References

• Elwes, H. J. & Henry, A. (1913). The Trees of Great Britain & Ireland. Vol. VII. pp 1848-1929. Private publication. [1]
• Hilliers' Manual of Trees & Shrubs. (1977). David & Charles, Newton Abbot, UK.