The tree is distinguished by its 'Viminalis'-type leaves (4–7 cm x 3 cm) suffused golden yellow in early summer, greening as the season progresses.[4][5][6] Clibran's of Altrincham (see 'Cultivation') described the coloration as "golden-bronze".[7]Rehder noted that 'Viminalis Aurea' has been distinguished from 'Viminalis' by the more deeply incised usually obovate leaves, but the two forms of leaves pass gradually into each other and may be found even on the same plant.[8][9]
One tree supplied by the Späth nursery of Berlin was planted in 1899 at the Dominion Arboretum, Ottawa, Canada, as U. campestris antarctica aurea.[10] Three specimens were supplied by Späth to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 1902 as U. antarctica aurea, and may survive in Edinburgh as it was the practice of the Garden to distribute trees about the city (viz. the Wentworth Elm).[11] The current list of Living Accessions held in the Garden per se does not list the plant. In England the tree was supplied by Clibrans' nursery of Altrincham, Cheshire, as Ulmus campestris aurea Rosseelsii.[12][7] Only two specimens are known (2016) to survive in the UK, a stunted tree at Borde Hill, West Sussex.[13] and a small tree (2016) at Grange Farm Arboretum (see Accessions). Others are known in Europe and Australasia[14] (see Accessions).
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