Chinese Elm
Introduction
An extremely durable, adaptable and beautiful tree, the Chinese elm is well-suited for the pressures of urban landscapes. It also has the advantage of being highly resistant to Dutch elm disease. .
Common Name
Chinese name
Latin Name
Ulmus parvifolia
Leaf
Small leaves are dark green, shiny, alternate, elliptical to ovate, serrated
Flower
Small, inconspicuous, green-yellow and produced in early autumn
Fruit/nut
Round samaras* appearing in the fall
Twig/branches
Slender, zigzag, brown, with obvious orange lenticels*
Bark
Young bark is a flaky brown-gray color, but mature bark is an exfoliating, mottled, and flaky combination of gray, green, orange, tan, and red-brown
Form
Rounded crown with very fine branches
Size
Typically grows 30 to 60 feet tall
Native Range
The Chinese elm is a species native to China, Japan, North Korea and Vietnam. It ranges widely around the contiguous United States, although normally not seen in the north-midwestern states
Type
Medium-sized, deciduous and sometimes semi-deciduous tree
Seasonal Colors
In the fall, the leaves can turn to a wide variety of colors: yellow, gold, orange, red, purple, and green
Soil
Prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil, but they adapt to drought and the extremes of urban sites
Light
Prefers full sun
Similar Species
Siberian elm, Japanese zelkova
Pests and Diseases
Does not have any major health problems except a moderate susceptibility to elm yellows and common wood-boring pests.
Rebate Eligibility
$50
Of Note
Chinese elm is a popular choice as a bonsai species, and is perhaps the single most widely available bonsai tree.
It is considered an invasive species in some parts of the United States; hackberry is a good alternative.
Photo Credits
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