Regal (elm hybrid)

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The American Regal elm is another hybrid developed by the University of Wisconsin and has the same parentage as Homestead, raised by the U. S. National Arboretum, and Urban, from the crossing of the Siberian Elm U. pumila with (Commelin x (U. pumila x U. minor Hoersholmiensis)). Regal has an upright columnar form not dissimilar to Commelin, making it particularly suitable for street planting. It also has a high resistance to Dutch elm disease, and performed particularly well in the Northern Arizona University trials [1] where, along with Frontier, it proved very tolerant of the hot and arid conditions in the eastern part of Arizona, exhibiting minimal leaf scorch. However, in areas where the elm leaf beetle Xanthosalenica luteola is prevalent, much damage has been sustained.

Across the Atlantic, it is grown under licence by the Conrad Appel nursery in Darmstadt, Germany. Marketed as one of the four Resista elm hybrids, it has enjoyed modest success in Germany as a street tree [2]. It was also marketed for a time by nurseries in England but discontinued owing to poor demand. However, specimens are held by the NCCPG elm collection holders Brighton & Hove City Council [3], and the Royal Horticultural Society at their Harlow Carr Arboretum [4], Harrogate. The tree 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.