Origin USA | ||
Cultivar 'Emer I' or 'Emerald Isle' = Athena™ People also search for Ulmus parvifolia 'BSNUPF' = Everclear | ||
The Chinese Elm cultivar Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer I' or 'Emerald Isle' (selling name Athena™) was cloned from a tree planted circa 1920 on the University of Georgia campus at Athens.
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Description
Athena is a small tree rarely exceeding 6 m in height, with a slightly broader, dense and rounded crown [1]. The leaves are a medium, glossy green, turning drab brown in autumn. The exfoliating, mottled bark is considered very attractive.[2]
Pests and diseases
The species and its cultivars are highly resistant, but not immune, to Dutch elm disease, and unaffected by the Elm Leaf Beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola [3]. As with the species overall, damage caused by Japanese Beetle is relatively slight.
Cultivation
Athena featured in the elm trials [4] conducted by Northern Arizona University at Holbrook, Arizona, but was unsuited to the hot, arid climate and sustained over 50% mortality in its first year. It is currently being evaluated in the National Elm Trial [5] coordinated by Colorado State University. Athena was introduced to Australia in 2002 as part of the Australian Urban Street Planting Programme [6]; it is not known to have been introduced to Europe.
Synonymy
North America
Nurseries
(Widely available)