Homestead (elm hybrid)

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The American Homestead elm is a complex hybrid developed by the U. S. National Arboretum from the crossing of Siberian Elm U. pumila with (Commelin x (U. pumila x U. minor Hoersholmiensis)). It rapidly produces very upright growth culminating in a pyramidal crown, with dark foliage that turns yellow in autumn. Its ultimate height should be approximately 20 m, with a spread of 12 m. Homestead has a high resistance to Dutch elm disease, but proved intolerant of hot and arid conditions in eastern Arizona, where it exhibited a high degree (> 50 %) of dieback in trials conducted by Northern Arizona University [1].

Homestead has had a very limited introduction to Europe. Experimental plantings were made along streets in several Dutch towns in the late 1990s, and a specimen is grown at the NCCPG elm collection [2] held by Brighton & Hove City Council in England. It also featured in New Zealand government trials during the 1990s at the Hortresearch station in Palmerston North.

[edit] References

Burdekin, D. A. & Rushforth, K. D. (Revised by Webber J. F. 1996). Elms resistant to Dutch elm disease. Arboricultural Research Note 2/96. Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service, Alice Holt, Farnham, UK.
Santamour, J., Frank, S. & Bentz, S. (1995). Updated checklist of elm (Ulmus) cultivars for use in North America. Journal of Arboriculture, 21:3 (May 1995), 121-131. International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, Illinois, USA.