Summary
The American Elm cultivar Ulmus americana 'Minneapolis Park', originally called 'Minneapolis Park Board Selection',[1] was a cold-hardy clone selected before 1930 by Theodore Wirth, Superintendent of the Minneapolis Park Department, to replace the 'Moline' elms killed in the 1920s by Minneapolis winters.[1][2][3]
| Ulmus americana 'Minneapolis Park' | |
|---|---|
| Species | Ulmus americana |
| Cultivar | 'Minneapolis Park' |
| Origin | Minneapolis, US |
Description edit
The tree has a relatively high number of stiff, upright branches creating a broad pyramidal shape.[4][5]
Pests and diseases edit
Minnesota was at first considered too far north to be at serious risk from Dutch elm disease, and heavy losses were not sustained there until the 1970s.[6][7] 'Minneapolis Park' was ultimately found to be very susceptible to the disease.[8]
Cultivation edit
Propagated by grafting, 'Minneapolis Park' was widely planted in Minneapolis and St Paul, especially as an avenue tree.[1][9][10] By 1928 Minnesota winters had claimed most of the 568 'Moline' elms in Victory Memorial Drive in North Minneapolis, commemorating the war dead of Hennepin County; they were replaced with hardier 'Minneapolis Park'.[11][12] Owing to its susceptibility to disease it is unlikely the tree remains in cultivation.
Synonymy edit
- 'Minneapolis Park Board Selection': Brand Peony Farms, 1930 Cat.; Faribault, Minnesota; p.16.
- 'Minneapolis Park Board': Sherman Nursery, Charles City, Iowa, Wholesale Cat., Spring 1960.
References edit
- ^ a b c Brand Peony Farms; 1930 catalogue (Faribault, Minnesota; p.16)
- ^ Andrews certified fruit, plants and trees, 1937; p.24. Andrews Nursery, Faribault, Minnesota
- ^ Andrews Nursery, Faribault, Minnesota; 1939 catalogue, p.39
- ^ Green, Peter Shaw (1964). "Registration of cultivar names in Ulmus". Arnoldia. 24 (6–8). Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University: 41–80. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
- ^ Photograph of 'Minneapolis Park', Lombard Avenue, St Paul, Minnesota, c.1975; 'Dutch Elm in St Paul and Minneapolis'; Minnesota Historical Society, collections.mnhs.org
- ^ David W. French, 'History of Dutch Elm Disease in Minnesota', University of Minnesota; conservancy.umn.edu
- ^ 'Dutch Elm in St Paul and Minneapolis'; Minnesota Historical Society, collections.mnhs.org
- ^ American elm, ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook, III. p.114
- ^ Brand Peony Farms, nurseries; 1931 catalogue; Faribault, Minnesota; p.49
- ^ Book of selected planting stock, 1947; The Andrews Nursery, Faribault, Minnesota; p.46
- ^ Theodore Wirth, Minneapolis Park System 1883–1944 (Minneapolis Board of Park Commissioners, 1945)
- ^ Photograph of 'Minneapolis Park', Victory Memorial Drive, Minneapolis; mnopedia.org