| Ulmus hybrid | |
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'Cathedral'. Photo: Ronnie Nijboer, Bonte Hoek kwekerijen. |
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| Details | |
| Hybrid parentage | U. pumila × U. davidiana var. japonica |
| Cultivar | 'Cathedral' |
| Origin | WARF, Wisconsin, USA |
The elm hybrid cultivar 'Cathedral' is one of several clones derived from crossings of the Siberian Elm U. pumila with the Japanese Elm U. davidiana var. japonica at the University of Wisconsin–Madison; it was patented in 1994.
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The tree is distinguished from its siblings 'Sapporo Autumn Gold' and 'New Horizon' by its large, elliptic leaves, < 14 cm long by < 8 cm broad, almost the same size and shape of those of its male parent, the Japanese Elm, spinach green when mature, turning yellow and orange in autumn. [1] [1]
Tests in the USA have found 'Cathedral' to be less resistant to Dutch elm disease than its siblings, although damage is usually confined to the branch tips. Studies in France by the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) confirmed the tree as only 'moderately resistant'.[2] The leaves are also favoured by leaf hoppers and other insects that feed by piercing and sucking.[3]
The tree requires relatively high levels of maintenance owing to its predilection for breaks occasioned by branch inclusions. 'Cathedral' is widely available across the USA, and has also been commercially released in Europe.
The tree was named by Mr Donald Willeke of Minneapolis, who observed that where planted in tight rows, a series of gothic cathedral-like arches was ultimately created between the trees.