The Chinese Elm cultivar Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer I' or 'Emerald Isle' (trade designation: Athena) was cloned from a tree planted circa 1920 on the University of Georgia campus at Athens.
[1] Athena is a small tree rarely exceeding 6 m in height, with a slightly broader, dense and rounded crown.
[2] The leaves are a medium, glossy green, turning drab brown in autumn.
[5] Athena featured in the elm trials [1] conducted by Northern Arizona University at Holbrook, Arizona, but was unsuited to the hot, arid climate and sustained over 50% mortality in its first year.
It is currently being evaluated in the National Elm Trial [2] coordinated by Colorado State University.