Cultivar 'Klemmer' People also search for Ulmus 'Nigrescens' | Origin Belgium | |
The elm cultivar Ulmus 'Klemmer' or 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), making it a variety of Ulmus × hollandica . Originating in the Bruges area, it was released in 1789 and was listed at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew as Ulmus × hollandica var. Klemmerii. The name 'Klemmer' derives, however, from the Flemish for 'climber', a reference to the tree's rapid growth and lofty height; so Klemmerii is a misnomer, incorrectly implying a proper noun Klemmer. This elm's rapid growth in its native area suggests F1 hybrid vigour, though the tree was regarded by Green as "possibly U. carpinifolia (: minor)", fast growth is not usually a feature of U. minor in Northern Europe.
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NB. The tree should not be confused with 'Klehmii', a cultivar of Ulmus americana named for Charles Klehm, an Illinois nurseryman.
Description
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, up to 7.5 cm (3 in) long and up to 5.0 cm (2 in) broad, shortly acuminate at the apex, the upper surface scabrous and glabrescent. The samarae are distinguished by a seed situated close to the emargination. The timber is reddish in hue, strong but liable to warping.
Pests and diseases
'Klemmer' has no significant resistance to Dutch elm disease.
Cultivation
Before the Dutch elm disease pandemic, 'Klemmer' was widely planted across Belgium and 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. The tree was introduced to America in the late 1940s. A large tree known as the Lewisham Dutch Elm stands at the southern end of Ladywell Fields, Lewisham, London [2010], and is said to be a specimen of 'Klemmer' but is not of the type, and may be Ulmus laevis instead.
Notable trees
A large specimen was recorded in the USA, growing at the north east corner of Berkey Hall at the Michigan State University, Ingham County. Measured in 2003, it stood 22 m high. The MSU 'Klemmer' lacked the straight stem that may be expected from earlier descriptions and was still standing in 2011, but had been removed by 2015.