Alphabetical Plant Listing

Ulmus americana (American Elm)

American Elm, American Water Elm, Water Elm, White Elm


Handsome and graceful, Ulmus americana (American Elm) is a medium to large deciduous tree of upright-spreading habit, forming a very broad, flat-topped or vaselike crown. The foliage of leathery, dark green leaves, 3-6 in. long (7-15 cm), turns butter-yellow to rich yellow in the fall. Inconspicuous yellow-green catkins appear in spring before the leaves emerge. A fast grower, American Elm is a very impressive tree that has been widely planted as a street and lawn tree. However, many American Elms have been ravaged by the Dutch Elm disease and this species is no longer recommended for landscape uses. Considerable effort has been made to breed hybrids that are resistant to the Dutch elm disease. Among the most resistant selections are 'Valley Forge', 'New Harmony', 'Creole Queen', 'Jefferson', Prairie Expedition™ and 'Princeton'.

  • Grows up to 60-80 ft. tall (18-24 m) and 40-70 ft. wide (12-21 m).
  • A full sun lover, this tree is easily grown in rich, moist, well-drained loams. Adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions including wet and dry sites. Drought tolerant.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant.
  • Keep an eye out for Dutch elm disease, phloem necrosis, wetwood. Various wilts, rots, cankers and leaf spots may also occur
  • Native to eastern and central North America.

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Requirements

Hardiness 2 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Ulmus - Elms
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 60' – 80' (18m – 24m)
Spread 40' – 70' (12m – 21m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Rocky Mountains, Montana, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Drought
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow

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By Dreamers Lil Dream Shoppe, Ruben Martinez Barricarte, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 2 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Ulmus - Elms
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 60' – 80' (18m – 24m)
Spread 40' – 70' (12m – 21m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Rocky Mountains, Montana, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Drought
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow

Guides with Ulmus - Elms

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