Varieties of Chinese Elm

[James H]

I have seen listed on some ebay auctions for Chinese elm different names listed after the species name. Things like "Kifu" for example. I was wondering what that ment. I tried to look it up and did not come up with much. I know that there are several different varieties of Chinese elm as a member of my club has several amazing Chinese elms, several with very small leaves. I am looking for one to make a nice shohin elm for my wife.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Kifu is a size classification...means 8"-20" tall, measured from the top of the soil to the top of the tree.

 

[James H]

Thanks Brian that would explain why I could not find it as a cultivated form anywhere under that name.

 

[James H]

What about "seiju"

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Seiju is a cultivar, a sport of the Hokkaido Chinese Elm. Seiju has a slightly larger leaf than the Hokkaido, it's less brittle and a bit easier to train. More on the topic:
http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/ulmus.htm

 

[James H]

thank you very much for the information and the link. I am guessing that it is the hokkaido elm that the member in the club has as he mentioned that it was very brittle. The leaves were smaller than pencil erasers. It was an amazing looking little tree.