| Ulmus | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Cultivar | 'Klemmer' |
| Origin | Belgium |
'Klemmer' or the Flanders Elm, is probably one of a number of hybrids arising from the crossing of the Wych Elm Ulmus glabra with a variety of Field Elm Ulmus minor. Regarded by Green [1] as "possibly U. carpinifolia (: minor) but probably U. × hollandica", it was released in 1789.
NB. The tree should not be confused with 'Klehmii', a cultivar of Ulmus americana.
Contents |
A rapid growing tree, tall with ascending branches initially forming a narrow, pyramidal head which later broadens, and producing numerous root-suckers and some epicormic shoots. 'Klemmer' has a straight, cylindrical stem. The bark is smooth in young trees and later fissured. The leaves are ovate, < 7.5 cm long by < 5.0 cm broad, shortly acuminate at the apex, the upper surface scabrous and glabrescent.[2][3] The samarae are distinguished by a seed situated close to the emargination. The timber is reddish in hue, strong but liable to warping.
'Klemmer' has no significant resistance to Dutch elm disease.
Before the Dutch elm disease pandemic, the tree was widely planted across northern France, where it was much esteemed for its timber and rapid growth. Before the First World War two specimens were established by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, one of which survives at Wakehurst Place [4]. A large mature Ulmus 'Klemmer', known as the Lewisham Dutch Elm, which stands in Ladywell Park, Lewisham, London [2010][5]. is NOT of the type, but possibly Ulmus laevis instead.
![[3]](http://www.saylorplants.com/images/Ulmus/UlmushollKlemmer_AF03_May27.jpg){kind=link}