Ulmus minor 'Toledo'
| Ulmus minor | |
|---|---|
| Cultivar | 'Toledo' |
| Origin | Spain |
The Field Elm cultivar Ulmus minor 'Toledo' was raised from seed collected in 1999 from a tree found growing in the eponymous city by researchers at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Montes, Universidad Politėcnica de Madrid. 'Toledo' is one of seven cultivars found to have a very high resistance to Dutch Elm Disease, on a par with, if not greater than, the hybrid cultivar 'Sapporo Autumn Gold'. In the Madrid study, the appearance of the tree was rated 2.9 / 5. [1]
The other Spanish cultivars are: Ademuz, Dehesa de Amaniel, Dehesa de la Villa, Fuente Umbria, Majadahonda, Retiro.
Description
'Toledo' grew at a comparatively fast rate of 89 cm per annum in the trials at Puerta de Hierro, Madrid. The erect branches form an irregular crown and are devoid of corky tissue. The leaves, on 6 mm petioles, are ovate, typically oblique at the base and acuminate at the apex, the average length and width 47 × 27 mm, the margins doubly serrate. Foliar density relative to 'Sapporo Autumn Gold' is described as 'high'. [1]
Cultivation
The cultivar is undergoing further trials in a different environment in Spain, where it will be tested by inoculation in 2016. If resistance is still satisfactory, the tree will be patented by the Spanish government and released to commerce under licence.