Ulmus × hollandica 'Vegeta' (Chichester Elm)
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| Ulmus × hollandica |
|---|
 |
| Hybrid parentage |
| U. glabra × U. minor |
| Cultivar |
| 'Vegeta' |
| Origin |
| England |
The Chichester Elm is probably the original Ulmus × hollandica 'Vegeta', but was often confused with the later Huntingdon Elm hybrid by nineteenth century writers [1]. While its provenance remains obscure, it was most likely named for Chichester Hall, Rawreth, near Danbury, in Essex, England, the home of Thomas Holt-White FRS, brother of the naturalist Gilbert White; the Hall survives as a hotel, with elms in the grounds. Examples of the tree, identified as 'a smooth leaf wych elm' were presented in 1711 by the Rev. Adam Buddle to the Chelsea Physic Garden. Buddle held a living at North Fambridge, not far from Rawreth [2].
Like other elms in England, the tree was devastated by Dutch Elm Disease, but notable examples survive, either courtesy of their isolation from diseased stock, as at Queens College, Cambridge, where two are approaching 44 m in height (2006), or annual inoculation with fungicide, as at Chapelfield Gardens, Norwich. Indeed it was from Norwich that the first Chichester Elms were known to have been marketed in 1801 by nurseryman George Lindley, father of the eminent botanist Professor John Lindley FRS [2]. The origin of the connexion with Norwich is not known, nor is the origin of the claimed source of the tree in later 19th century catalogues as 'North America'.
The tree is known to have been marketed in Australia in the early 20th century by the former Gembrook Nursery, but no trees are known to survive in that country.
Contents |
[edit] Arboreta etc. accessions
(as 'Vegeta', not Chichester Elm)
[edit] North America
- Holden Arboretum acc. no. 70-128
- Morton Arboretum acc. nos. 593-30, 71-70
- New York Botanical Garden acc. no. 529/89
[edit] Europe
- Brighton & Hove City Council, UK, NCCPG Elm Collection [2].
- Cambridge Botanic Garden [3], University of Cambridge, UK, no accession details available.
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh acc. no. 19699364
[edit] Nurseries
[edit] Europe
- Brian Lewington [4], Heathfield, East Sussex, UK.
[edit] Synonymy
- U. campestris var. Cicestria: W. A. & J. Mackie, Norwich, Catalogue, 1812, p.59.
