Cornish Elm
Encyclopedia
Ulmus minor Mill. subsp. angustifolia (Weston) Stace , often known as the Cornish Elm, is a species of deciduous
tree. The species was once a common sight across much of South West England
, Southern Ireland
and Brittany
before the advent of Dutch elm disease
, which devastated tree populations.
Growing to a height of up to 27 m, this slender, slow-growing deciduous tree is distinguished by its long, straight trunk, culminating in a narrow fan-shaped crown comprising short, straight, ascending branches.The leaves are small, obovate
to oval
, typically acuminate at the apex, 6 cm long by 3.5 cm broad with a dark-green upper surface, glossy and smooth. The reddish apetalous wind-pollinated flowers occur in clusters of between 15 and 20 on very short pedicel
s. The samarae
rarely ripened in England
, but when mature were very similar to those of the Field Elm
group, being mostly obovate in shape and 16 mm by 10 mm in size.
, which devastated it in the United Kingdom
.
long since lost to the sea. Its current distribution owes much to man's activities, as it is the tree traditionally considered the best choice for providing shelter along the Cornish coast. Moreover, its timber was much prized for its strength, and commonly used in wheel and wagon construction.
Few wild mature specimens are known to have survived the current Dutch elm disease pandemic in England http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=7839, but suckers remain a common component of hedgerows, and thus the genetic resources of this subspecies are not considered endangered http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/Networks/euforgen/Networks/Scattered_Broadleaves/NHStrategies/UlmusSppConsStrategy.htm. A prime example is the Great Elm of Rosuic, an ancient pollard elm which attained a d.b.h. of over 2.5 m before succumbing to disease, but is now producing suckers. Again, like others of the species, propagation is almost entirely by suckers, which the tree produces copiously.Stace, C. A. (1997). New Flora of the British Isles, 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press
at Selmeston
, near the footpath across the grounds of Sherrington Manor.http://www.southdownsonline.org/protecting/content/page/4646/Where_to_see_Elms.pdf A small number of mature trees, with an average d.b.h. of 143 cm, survive at Castletownbere
Cemetery in County Cork
, Ireland
. Another specimen, believed to be over a century old, exists in Shoreham
, Victoria in Australia
.
considered Goodyer's Elm Ulmus minor subsp. angustifolia var. goodyeri a variety of the Cornish Elm.
found mainly in Cornwall, Ulmus × hollandica 'Daveyi', is a natural hybrid between wych elm and Cornish elm.
s of this taxon (but see F. J. Fontaine's conjecture about the cultivar 'Atropurpurea'), nor is it known to be in commerce beyond Australia
.
Europe
Australasia
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
tree. The species was once a common sight across much of South West England
South West England
South West England is one of the regions of England defined by the Government of the United Kingdom for statistical and other purposes. It is the largest such region in area, covering and comprising Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. ...
, Southern Ireland
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
and Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
before the advent of Dutch elm disease
Dutch elm disease
Dutch elm disease is a disease caused by a member of the sac fungi category, affecting elm trees which is spread by the elm bark beetle. Although believed to be originally native to Asia, the disease has been accidentally introduced into America and Europe, where it has devastated native...
, which devastated tree populations.
Description
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
to oval
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
, typically acuminate at the apex, 6 cm long by 3.5 cm broad with a dark-green upper surface, glossy and smooth. The reddish apetalous wind-pollinated flowers occur in clusters of between 15 and 20 on very short pedicel
Pedicel (botany)
A pedicel is a stem that attaches single flowers to the main stem of the inflorescence. It is the branches or stalks that hold each flower in an inflorescence that contains more than one flower....
s. The samarae
Samara (fruit)
A samara is a type of fruit in which a flattened wing of fibrous, papery tissue develops from the ovary wall. A samara is a simple dry fruit and indehiscent . It is a winged achene...
rarely ripened in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, but when mature were very similar to those of the Field Elm
Field Elm
Ulmus minor Mill., the Field Elm, is by far the most polymorphic of the European species, although its taxonomy remains a matter of contention. Its natural range is predominantly south European, extending to Asia Minor; its northern outposts are the Baltic islands of Öland and Gotland, although it...
group, being mostly obovate in shape and 16 mm by 10 mm in size.
Pests and diseases
Cornish Elm is very susceptible to Dutch elm diseaseDutch elm disease
Dutch elm disease is a disease caused by a member of the sac fungi category, affecting elm trees which is spread by the elm bark beetle. Although believed to be originally native to Asia, the disease has been accidentally introduced into America and Europe, where it has devastated native...
, which devastated it in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Cultivation and uses
The origin of the Cornish Elm in the UK remains a matter of contention; commonly assumed to have been purposely introduced from Brittany by humans, it is also considered possible that the species may have survived the Ice Ages on lands to the south of CornwallCornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
long since lost to the sea. Its current distribution owes much to man's activities, as it is the tree traditionally considered the best choice for providing shelter along the Cornish coast. Moreover, its timber was much prized for its strength, and commonly used in wheel and wagon construction.
Few wild mature specimens are known to have survived the current Dutch elm disease pandemic in England http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=7839, but suckers remain a common component of hedgerows, and thus the genetic resources of this subspecies are not considered endangered http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/Networks/euforgen/Networks/Scattered_Broadleaves/NHStrategies/UlmusSppConsStrategy.htm. A prime example is the Great Elm of Rosuic, an ancient pollard elm which attained a d.b.h. of over 2.5 m before succumbing to disease, but is now producing suckers. Again, like others of the species, propagation is almost entirely by suckers, which the tree produces copiously.Stace, C. A. (1997). New Flora of the British Isles, 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press
Notable trees
As of 2009, two specimens of Cornish Elm are reputed to survive in East SussexEast Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
at Selmeston
Selmeston
Selmeston is a village and civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England. It is located eight miles east of Lewes, to the north of the A27 road between there and Polegate. It is a long straggling village. The church already existed at the time of its mention in the Domesday Book;...
, near the footpath across the grounds of Sherrington Manor.http://www.southdownsonline.org/protecting/content/page/4646/Where_to_see_Elms.pdf A small number of mature trees, with an average d.b.h. of 143 cm, survive at Castletownbere
Castletownbere
Castletownbere is a small town in County Cork in Ireland. It is located on the southwest coast of Ireland, in West Cork, on Berehaven harbour near the entrance to Bantry Bay. It is also known as Castletown Berehaven. The name of the town comes from the no longer extant MacCarty Castle, and not...
Cemetery in County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Another specimen, believed to be over a century old, exists in Shoreham
Shoreham, Victoria
Shoreham is a town south of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located in the southern Mornington Peninsula region on the Western Port. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula. It is a coastal recreation resort notable for its pine-covered cliffs and foreshore reserve...
, Victoria in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Varieties
The notable botanist Ronald MelvilleRonald Melville
Ronald Melville was an English botanist, based at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. He is chiefly remembered for his wartime research into rosehips as a source of vitamin C, prompted by the epidemic of scurvy amongst children owing to the reduced importation of fresh fruit...
considered Goodyer's Elm Ulmus minor subsp. angustifolia var. goodyeri a variety of the Cornish Elm.
Hybrids
It has been suggested that a variety of Ulmus × hollandicaUlmus × hollandica
Ulmus × hollandica Mill. , often known simply as Dutch Elm, is a natural hybrid between Wych Elm Ulmus glabra and Field Elm Ulmus minor which commonly occurs across Europe wherever the ranges of the two parent species overlap. In England, according to the field-studies of R. H...
found mainly in Cornwall, Ulmus × hollandica 'Daveyi', is a natural hybrid between wych elm and Cornish elm.
Cultivars
There are no known cultivarCultivar
A cultivar'Cultivar has two meanings as explained under Formal definition. When used in reference to a taxon, the word does not apply to an individual plant but to all those plants sharing the unique characteristics that define the cultivar. is a plant or group of plants selected for desirable...
s of this taxon (but see F. J. Fontaine's conjecture about the cultivar 'Atropurpurea'), nor is it known to be in commerce beyond Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Accessions
North America- Arnold Arboretum. Acc. no. 17676, and acc. no. 328-81 (two trees).
- Bartlett Tree Nurseries. Acc. no. 96-2161, details unavailable.
- J. C. Raulston Arboretum, North Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
, details unavailable.
Europe
- Brighton & HoveBrighton & HoveBrighton and Hove is a unitary authority area and city on the south coast of England. It is England's most populous seaside resort.In 1997 Brighton and Hove were joined to form the unitary authority of Brighton and Hove, which was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II as part of the millennium...
City Council, UK, NCCPG Elm Collection http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1254274. 12 trees in Bear Road Cemetery, 2 in Hove Cemetery, and 2 along Queen's Park Road. - Cambridge Botanic Garden http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/, University of CambridgeUniversity of CambridgeThe University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, UK, as U. angustifolia var. cornubiensis, no accession details available.
Australasia
- Royal Botanic Gardens, SydneyRoyal Botanic Gardens, SydneyThe Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Australia, are the most central of the three major botanical gardens open to the public in Sydney....
, Australia.
Nurseries
Australasia- Established Tree Transplanters Pty. Ltd.http://establishedtrees.com.au, Wandin, Victoria, AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.