DESCRIPTION 
Augustine Ascending Elm is the trademarked name of a 
mutant or form of American Elm. It differs most strikingly 
from the typical American Elm in its columnar or, technically, 
fastigiated form. The lateral branches of the young tree are 
approximately of the same development and size from tip to 
base. The older tree develops roughly parallel, wall-like sides, 
to form a stately, upright column of foliage, in marked contrast 
to the vase or fountain shape of the typical American Elm. The 
Augustine Ascending Elm shows a more vigorous growth, 
stouter twigs, and larger, more deeply toothed leaves (5 to 6 
inches) than other varieties of American Elm. It bears no seed, 
has neat and compact root habits, a strong anchorage, trunk 
and sturdy crotches. 
The identification of the Augus- 
tine Ascending Elm was accom- 
| Eee | VGAL, 
plished principally by the United AYA 
States Forestry Service and Dr. J. 
~ te 
M. Beal, Chairman of the Depart- Wri Q 
Sw 
ment of Botany at the University of (NO ~~ 
Chicago. The Forestry Service’s bo- S \ 
eo~ 
tanical descriptions and Dr. Beal’s YR) 
cytological studies supported each 
other in establishing the identity of Dr, Beal’s drawing of 
the tree. Dr. Beal counted 56 chromo- chromosomes from, root 
somes in a root cell, thus establishing CON 860 fiat eae 
it a tetraploid mutant of the Ameri- 
can Elm which latter has 28 chromo- 
somes. The Forestry Service at first 
agreed on the marked botanical similarities with the Scotch or 
Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra) and also the many divergences from 
the typical American Elm characteristics, which evidence along 
with earlier erroneous chromosome counts inclined them to 
identify the tree as a strain of Wych Elm; but Dr. Beal’s 
definitive count corraborated evidence they later collected. 
ing Elm. 
