Ulmus 'Willis'

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Ulmus hybrid
Hybrid parentage
U. pumila × U. rubra
Cultivar
'Willis'
Origin
USA

The hybrid cultivar 'Willis' originated as a selection made by a Mr Minnick of Kansas simply as a hybrid. Almost certainly derived from a crossing of the Siberian Elm Ulmus pumila and the Red Elm Ulmus rubra, it was originally considered Ulmus americana × Ulmus pumila. It was described as having a smooth grey bark, large leaves similar to U. americana, and capable of very rapid growth ^[1]. Marketed by the Willis Nursery Co., Ottawa, Kansas, circa 1959, it has not been widely tested for resistance to Dutch elm disease ^[2].

It is not known whether the cultivar remains in cultivation in the USA, nor whether it was ever introduced to Europe or Australasia.

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