U.S. patent number PP31,149 [Application Number 15/998,204] was granted by the patent office on 2019-12-03 for metasequoia tree named `urban spire`.
The grantee listed for this patent is Andrew Schenck, Timothy Sterling. Invention is credited to Andrew Schenck, Timothy Sterling.
United States Patent |
PP31,149 |
Sterling , et al. |
December 3, 2019 |
Metasequoia tree named `Urban Spire`
Abstract
A new and distinct Metasequoia cultivar named `Urban Spire` is
disclosed, characterized by a distinctive upright, narrow tree
form. Branches are held at angles of approximately 45 degrees or
less, forming the distinctive narrow shape. The tree is well suited
for small properties, street applications or as a specimen in the
landscape. The new cultivar is a Metasequoia, suitable for various
landscape purposes.
Inventors: |
Sterling; Timothy (Malvern,
PA), Schenck; Andrew (Malvern, PA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sterling; Timothy
Schenck; Andrew |
Malvern
Malvern |
PA
PA |
US
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
68695599 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/998,204 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/213 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
7/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/00 (20180101); A01H 7/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/213 |
Primary Examiner: McCormick Ewoldt; Susan
Assistant Examiner: Redden; Karen M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bright; Cassandra
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A new and distinct Metasequoia tree named `Urban Spire` as
herein illustrated and described.
Description
Latin name of the genus and species: Metasequoia
glyptostroboides.
Variety denomination: `Urban Spire`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The new cultivar is a product of chance discovery by the inventors,
Timothy Sterling and Andrew Schenk. This new variety, hereinafter
referred to as `Urban Spire`, was selected as single seedling among
a commercial planting of numerous seedling trees of unpatented,
unnamed Metasequoia glyptostroboides. The novel variety was
discovered in a commercial nursery in Malvern, Pa. during August of
2007.
After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting
selection, first propagation of `Urban Spire` occurred by bud wood
graft during September of 2012 at a commercial nursery in Malvern,
Pa. The inventor continued controlled testing and propagation,
assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.
Three generations have been reproduced and have shown that the
unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to
type.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The cultivar `Urban Spire` has not been observed under all possible
environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with
variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and
light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The
following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined
to be the unique characteristics of `Urban Spire` These
characteristics in combination distinguish `Urban Spire` as a new
and distinct Metasequoia cultivar: 1. Slender, upright growth
habit. 2. Suitability as a street tree or specimen. 3. Suitability
for smaller landscape situations.
COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY
`Urban Spire` is similar in most horticultural characteristics to
the parent variety. Trees of the new cultivar `Urban Spire`
however, are distinctively more narrow with more acute branching
angles.
COMMERCIAL COMPARISON
In addition to the seed parent, `Urban Spire` can be compared to
the commercial variety Metasequoia glyptostroboides `Sheridan
Spire`, unpatented. The varieties are similar in most horticultural
characteristics, however, trees of `Urban Spire` differ in the
following: 1. The new variety has a denser habit with shorter
growth nodes. 2. Branch angle of the new variety is 45 degrees from
center, or more acute, `Sheridan Spire` has a broader branch angle.
3. Overall habit of the new variety is narrower and more upright
than `Sheridan Spire`.
`Urban Spire` can be compared to the commercial variety Metasequoia
glyptostroboides `National`, unpatented. The varieties are similar
in most horticultural characteristics, however, trees of `Urban
Spire` differ in the following: 1. The new variety has a denser
habit with shorter growth nodes. 2. Branch angle of the new variety
is 45 degrees from center, or more acute, `National` has a broader
branch angle. 3. Overall habit of the new variety is narrower and
more upright than `National`.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS
The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a
typical tree of `Urban Spire` grown outdoors in Malvern, Pa. at
approximately 10 years of age, during Summer.
FIG. 2 illustrates the same tree during the Winter, while
deciduous. FIG. 2 illustrates the acute angle of the branches,
better seen without foliage. The photographs were taken using
conventional techniques and although colors may appear different
from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as
possible by conventional photographic techniques.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
In the following description, color references are made to The
Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general
terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following
observations and measurements describe `Urban Spire` trees grown
outdoors in Malvern, Pa. Trees are approximately 10 years years
old, planted in the ground. Measurements and numerical values
represent averages of typical tree types. Temperatures ranged from
approximately -17.degree. C. to 35.degree. C. during the day and
-17.degree. C. to 26.degree. C. Botanical classification:
Metasequoia glyptostroboides `Urban Spire`.
PROPAGATION
Typical Propagation method: Bud wood graft.
TREE
Growth Habit: Upright, columnar deciduous tree. Height:
Approximately 25 feet after 10 years. Tree Spread: Approximately 12
feet after 10 years. Typical Growth Rate: Moderate. Trunk Color:
Near RHS greyed orange 173 A. Trunk Diameter (give height measured
at): 12'' at 8'' above ground level. Trunk Texture: sinewy.
Branching Characteristics: 45 degree, or less angle from trunk.
Diameter of Lateral Branches: Varies, with an average range between
0.4 to 4 inches. Texture of Lateral Branches: Shredded. Color of
Lateral Branches: Near RHS Greyed-Orange 173 A. Strength of Lateral
Branches: Strong and flexible, no snow, ice or wind damage
observed. Internode length: Average 1''. Root Description: Fibrous,
very well branched. Colored near RHS Brown N199B.
FOLIAGE
Leaf: Arrangement.--opposite. Average Length.--3 to 4 inches.
Average Width.--0.75 to 1 inch. Shape.--Oblong. Individual Needles:
Arrangement.--Opposite. Average Length.--1/4 to 1/2 inch. Average
Width.-- 1/16 up to 1/8 inch. Shape of blade.--Linear.
Apex.--Acute. Base.--Obtuse. Attachment.--Sessile. Margin.--Entire.
Texture of top surface.--Glabrous. Texture of bottom
surface.--Glabrous. Color.--Young foliage upper side: Near RHS
Green 137 C. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137 C. Mature
foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 135 A. Mature foliage under
side: Near RHS Green 138 A. Fall foliage upper side: Near RHS
Greyed-Orange N170 A. Fall foliage under side: Near RHS
Greyed-Orange 168 C. Venation.--Type: Linear. Venation color:
Indistinguishable from foliage color. Petiole.--Length: About 1/2
inch. Diameter: About 1/16 inch. Color: Near RHS Green 137C.
Texture: Glabrous.
FLOWER
Flowering not observed. Cone not observed to date.
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Disease and Pest Resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility
observed. Drought Tolerance: Tolerates drought once established.
Temperature Tolerance: Observed to tolerate temperatures between
-17.degree. C. and 40.degree. C.
* * * * *