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]

Description

The tree has a relatively high number of stiff, upright branches creating a broad pyramidal shape.[4][5]

Pests and diseases

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

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

  • '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

  1. ^ a b c Brand Peony Farms; 1930 catalogue (Faribault, Minnesota; p.16)
  2. ^ Andrews certified fruit, plants and trees, 1937; p.24. Andrews Nursery, Faribault, Minnesota
  3. ^ Andrews Nursery, Faribault, Minnesota; 1939 catalogue, p.39
  4. ^ Green, Peter Shaw (1964). "Registration of cultivar names in Ulmus". Arnoldia. 24 (6–8). Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University: 41–80. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  5. ^ Photograph of 'Minneapolis Park', Lombard Avenue, St Paul, Minnesota, c.1975; 'Dutch Elm in St Paul and Minneapolis'; Minnesota Historical Society, collections.mnhs.org
  6. ^ David W. French, 'History of Dutch Elm Disease in Minnesota', University of Minnesota; conservancy.umn.edu
  7. ^ 'Dutch Elm in St Paul and Minneapolis'; Minnesota Historical Society, collections.mnhs.org
  8. ^ American elm, ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook, III. p.114
  9. ^ Brand Peony Farms, nurseries; 1931 catalogue; Faribault, Minnesota; p.49
  10. ^ Book of selected planting stock, 1947; The Andrews Nursery, Faribault, Minnesota; p.46
  11. ^ Theodore Wirth, Minneapolis Park System 1883–1944 (Minneapolis Board of Park Commissioners, 1945)
  12. ^ Photograph of 'Minneapolis Park', Victory Memorial Drive, Minneapolis; mnopedia.org