The hybrid elm cultivar Ulmus × hollandica 'Wredei', also known as Ulmus × hollandica 'Dampieri Aurea' and sometimes marketed as Golden Elm, originated as a sport of the cultivar 'Dampieri' at the Alt-Geltow Arboretum, near Potsdam, Germany, in 1875. Not to be confused with two other popular cultivars named 'Golden Elm', Ulmus glabra 'Lutescens' and Ulmus 'Louis van Houtte'.

Description

The tree is fastigiate when young, but like its parent 'Dampieri' can become more spreading with age. It has broad, crinkled leaves clustered on short shoots; when these are young they are suffused yellow, but as the tree ages they revert to green.

Pests and diseases

'Wredei' is susceptible to Dutch elm disease.

Cultivation

'Wredei' was distributed by the Louis van Houtte and Späth nurseries in the late 19th century (Louis van Houtte described it in 1881 as a "superbe nouveauté"). Späth supplied one tree, as U. montana fastigiata aurea, to the Dominion Arboretum, Ottawa, in 1893, and three in 1902 to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 1902 as U. montana fastigiata Dampieri Wredei. 'Dampieri Aurea' appears in the 1902 catalogue of the Bobbink and Atkins nursery, Rutherford, New Jersey, and in Kelsey's 1904 catalogue, New York. Ulmus Wredei aurea was introduced to Australia in the early 20th century. 'Wredei' is currently one of the most popular elms on sale in Europe owing to its colourful foliage and modest size. For the 'Golden Elm' at Great Dixter Gardens, Northiam, East Sussex, apparently miscalled 'Dampieri Aurea' by the horticulturalist Christopher Lloyd, see U. minor 'Dicksonii'.

Notable trees

In the UK, the Tree Register of the British Isles (TROBI) Champion is at Blakers Park, Brighton, measuring 17 m high and 57 cm d.b.h. in 2009, when the leaf colour was reverting to green.

Etymology

The tree is named for Joseph Wrede (1831–1912), Royal Horticultural Inspector at the Royal State Nursery, Alt-Geltow, Potsdam, and curator of the Alt-Geltow Arboretum.

Synonymy

Accessions

Nurseries

Widely available.