Hebei Elm
Ulmus lamellosa
Elm family (Ulmaceae)
Jigsaw pattern
In the wild the Hebei elm grows in the Chinese interior and is named after one of the provinces where the tree naturally occurs. The tree grows slowly and is often not more than 10 meters in height.
The tree in Kerkrade has a single stem with a distinctive bark and a round, sprawling tree crown. Its small, dark green leaves turn a golden yellow colour in autumn. The bark peels off unevenly leaving a complex but characteristic jigsaw pattern.
The tree prefers to grow in dry soils and is often planted in parks in China. Outside China, the tree is a rarity; in Europe it can only be found on six sites.
Harmful beetles appear not to eat the leaves. Moreover the infamous elm disease does not seem to attack the Hebei elm.
Themes
Crown jewel in the Kerkrade Botanic Garden.
Endangered species that is very rare outside China; only present in six collections in North America and six collections in Europe.
Details
Description: | Tree, up to 10 m, often multi-stemmed |
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Distributions: | China |
Habitat: | Mountain ravines; ca. 1200 m. in altitude. |
Year cycle: | Perennial (polycarpic decidous) |
Hardiness: | Colder than -4 f (very hardy) |
Flowering period: | Maart - april |
Fruiting period: | April - mei |