The hybrid elm cultivarUlmus × hollandica 'Wredei', also known as Ulmus × hollandica 'Dampieri Aurea', originated as a sport of the cultivar 'Dampieri' at the Alt-Geltow Arboretum, near Potsdam, Germany, in 1875.
The tree is fastigiate when young, but like its parent 'Dampieri' can become more spreading with age. It has broad, crinkled leaves clustered on short shoots; when these are young they are suffused yellow, but as the tree ages they revert to green.
Commonly known as the Golden Elm, 'Wredei' is currently one of the most popular elms on sale in Europe owing to its colourful foliage and modest size. In the UK, the TROBI Champion is at Blaker's Park, Brighton, measuring 17 m high and 57 cm d.b.h. in 2009, when the leaf colour was reverting to green.
Etymology
The tree is named for Joseph Wrede (1831–1912), Royal Horticultural Inspector at the Royal State Nursery, Alt-Geltow, Potsdam, and curator of the Alt-Geltow Arboretum.
Synonymy
Ulmus campestris 'Wredei' Hort. ex Lauche, Deutsch. Dendr. 347 (1880).