Ulmus 'Hertfordensis Latifolia'

The elm cultivar Ulmus 'Hertfordensis Latifolia' was listed by Loudon in Arboretum et Fruticetum Britannicum (1838) as "the broad-leaved Hertfordshire Elm",^[1] and later mentioned, as Ulmus campestris hertfordensis latifolia, by Boulger in the Gardener's Chronicle (II. 12: 1879), but without description.^[2] It was considered "probably U. carpinifolia" (:U. minor) by Green,^[3] though broad leaves point to a possible Ulmus × hollandica hybrid identity. Hybrids of this type were once common in eastern Hertfordshire.^[4][5]

Description[edit]

Loudon's "broad-leaved" epithet distinguished the tree from his narrow-leaved Hertfordshire elm, U. 'Hertfordensis Angustifolia'.

• 
  Leaf of unidentified broad-leaved elm (likely hybrid), Six Hills Common, Stevenage, Hertfordshire
• 
  Unidentified broad-leaved elms, Six Hills Common, Stevenage, Hertfordshire

Pests and diseases[edit]

Though susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease, field elms (see Green's conjecture above) and their hybrids produce suckers and usually survive in this form in their area of origin.

Cultivation[edit]

The Woodland Trust records a small number of mature U. minor and Ulmus × hollandica surviving in Hertfordshire.^[6]

Synonymy[edit]

• Ulmus campestris hertfordensis latifolia: Boulger, in Gardener's Chronicle II. 12: 298 1879.

References[edit]