Ulmus americana 'Minneapolis Park'

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

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.