Plantyn (elm hybrid)

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Plantyn (Anglicized form of Plantijn) was one of three Dutch hybrid elms released in 1973, but was to prove no more resistant to Dutch elm disease than its contemporaries Dodoens and Lobel. Derived from a crossing of the Dutch hybrids 202 (U. glabra Exoniensis x U. wallichiana) and 302 (U. minor 1 x U. minor 28), it was nevertheless to prove of great significance in later developments. A selfed seedling was to become the first Dutch clone to prove immune to disease, released in 1989 as Columella. Plantyn was also destined to be the female parent of the hugely successful Lutèce ™, released in 2002.

Plantyn is a fast-growing tree, forming a broad crown with grey-green foliage. Like most of its compatriots, it has proven very tolerant of sea winds, but its only marginal resistance to disease has seen it eclipsed by its superior offspring. The tree is represented in the UK by specimens grown at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, and in the NCCPG elm collection [1] maintained by Brighton & Hove City Council. It is not known to have been introduced to the USA, but was included in trials [2] in Canberra, Australia, started in 1988, although it is reputed not to have thrived in that environment.

The tree is named for the French printer and humanist Christoffel Plantijn (France: Christophe Plantin).

[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.
• Heybroek, H. M. (1983). Resistant Elms for Europe. In Burdekin, D. A. (Ed.) Research on Dutch elm disease in Europe. For. Comm. Bull. 60. pp 108 - 113.
• Heybroek, H. M. (1993). The Dutch Elm Breeding Program. In Sticklen & Sherald (Eds.) (1993). Dutch Elm Disease Research, Chapter 3. Springer Verlag, New York, USA