September Elm
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Ulmus serotina Sarg., the September Elm, is an American species uncommon beyond Tennessee; only very locally distributed through Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia, growing predominantly on limestone bluffs and along streams.

Description

Rarely exceeding 20 m in height, the tree has a rounded crown with spreading to pendulous branches. The glabrous young shoots become progressively corky-winged with age, and bear oblong to obovate leaves < 8 cm long. The flowers form pendulous racemes that open in September and serve to distinguish the species from its compatriot, the Cedar Elm U. crassifolia, with which it readily hybridizes. The samarae are oblong - elliptical, deeply divided at the apex, and ripen in November [1] [2].

Pests and diseases

The species is highly susceptible to Dutch elm disease.

Cultivation

Before the outbreak of Dutch elm disease, U. serotina once enjoyed some popularity as a shade-tree in the southern part of its range. Very few specimens are known to be in cultivation in Europe ^[1]. There are no known cultivars of this taxon, nor is it known to be available from any nurseries.

Accessions

North America

• Morton Arboretum, acc. no. 1039-23.

Europe

• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, UK, acc. no. 20080091, from seed wild collected in USA.
• Royal Botanic Garden, Wakehurst Place, UK acc. no. 2006-143.
• Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, UK, acc. no. 2004.1059, 3 small trees, collected in Tennessee, 2004.
• Thenford House arboretum, Banbury, UK, no details available.
• University of Copenhagen, Botanic Garden, Denmark, no details available.

References