| Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer I' | |
|---|---|
| Species | Ulmus parvifolia |
| Cultivar | 'Emer I' or 'Emerald Isle' = Athena |
| Origin | US |
The Chinese Elm cultivar Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer I' or 'Emerald Isle' (trade designation: Athena) was cloned from a tree planted circa 1920 on the University of Georgia campus at Athens. [1]
Athena is a small tree rarely exceeding 6 m in height, with a slightly broader, dense and rounded crown. [2] The leaves are a medium, glossy green, turning drab brown in autumn. The exfoliating, mottled bark is considered very attractive. [3]
The species and its cultivars are highly resistant, but not immune, to Dutch elm disease, and unaffected by the Elm Leaf Beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola . [4] As with the species overall, damage caused by Japanese Beetle is relatively slight. [5]
Athena featured in the elm trials 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 coordinated by Colorado State University. It was also tested in the United States for cold-hardiness. [6] Athena was introduced to Australia in 2002 as part of the Australian Urban Street Planting Programme ; it is not known to have been introduced to Europe.
(Widely available)
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