Elm Hybrid Guide or Key

Estebandito

Estebandito

Location
Norfolk
Does anyone know of a good compilation or key for ID of hybrid Elm trees?

I get a little lost between "Frontier","Liberty", "Princeton" and countless other ones . Any direction or known compilation would be greatly appreciated.
 
I don't know of a key, but the three you mentioned are distinctly different.

Frontier is a small hybrid (40') with small leaves and burgundy fall color.

Liberty is a BRAND, created by individuals with private marketing interests that is not truly accepted as a resistant variety by the industry as a whole (It is DED susceptible, trust me).

Princeton is the closest to an American Elm and is not a hybrid, it a resistant cultivar.

...

Jefferson is a newer cultivar with high hopes. Interesting history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulmus_americana_'Jefferson'

Pioneer is not totally resistant, and is a shorter, broader hybrid, not a true American Elm.

Prospector is similar to Pioneer in that it is smaller, and not an American.

Homestead much the same. Soft wooded, bad branching.

Valley Forge is an American that grows really fast and does not look much like the original. Develops poor unions and fails with consistency. Dirr has a photo of an entire field at Scmidt Nurseries growing like groundcover because they were not staked.

IMO Princeton is the best selection to replace the original.

There's a start! :)

-Tom
 
You could also throw Accolade(Ulmus 'Morton') in that group as well, although it is a pretty complex hybrid. I think the parent tree at the Morton Arboretum is a pretty good looking tree, good Elm form, not as full in my opinion as an American Elm though. I usually pick out the younger Accolade's by their bark, has a distinct look and a lighter color different from the Homestead and triumph. I will say they definitely need plenty of training for good structure and form, left alone they are a mess as younger trees.
 
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