Ulmus ‘Dodoens’

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 20m

Eventual Spread: 7m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Ulmaceae

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ is a fast growing deciduous tree with upright branches and a broad spherical crown. Its dark green leaves are ovate with serrate margins, up to 14cm long and 10cm broad. Its leaves turn yellow in autumn before they fall. Its sliver/ grey bark is fissured. Its yellow/ green flowers appear as dense bundles. Its brown fruit is a winged nutlet.

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’, commonly known as Dodoens Elm, is a hybrid of Ulmus glabra ‘ Exoniensis’ and Ulmus wallichiana and was created in Holland. Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ has a moderate resistance to Dutch Elm Disease.

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ Autumn Leaf (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Ulmus is from the Latin name for the Elm tree. The cultivar name Dodoens is named after Rembert Dodoens (1517 – 1585), a Flemish physician and botanist.

The landscape architect may find Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ useful as a street tree due to its tolerance of urban conditions. It has fantastic autumn colour. It is tolerant of maritime conditions.

Ecologically, Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ seeds are attractive to some birds.

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ Bark (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’  prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers chalky soils.

Ulmus ‘Dodoens’ requires little maintenance.