Chinese Elm, scientifically Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer II' ALLEE, is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to China, Korea, and Japan that brings elegance and resilience to any landscape. Growing 60 to 70 feet tall with a graceful rounded crown and long, pendulous branches, this variety reaches 35 to 55 feet wide at maturity, thriving in hardiness zones 4 through 9. It earns its common name 'lacebark elm' from its striking multi-colored bark and is prized for its rapid growth, excellent foliage, and remarkable resistance to Dutch elm disease, a fatal fungal threat that has devastated other elm species.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-9
840in H x 660in W
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High
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The 'Emer II' ALLEE cultivar stands out for its exceptional resistance to Dutch elm disease and elm leaf beetle, combined with proven tolerance to leaf scorch, cold winters, and the stress of urban environments. Its rapid growth rate and ability to thrive in clay soils, shallow rocky soils, and drought conditions once established make it a genuinely low-maintenance shade tree. Small, reddish-green flowers appear in late summer, followed by wafer-like seeds, adding seasonal interest without overwhelming the landscape.
Chinese Elm excels as a shade tree for residential landscapes and as a street tree in urban settings, where its proven tolerance to urban conditions, clay soils, and pollution makes it reliable. Its rapid growth and rounded form provide substantial canopy coverage, while its moderate water needs and drought tolerance once established mean it demands minimal ongoing irrigation. The pendulous branching creates an elegant, slightly weeping form that adds architectural interest to parks and large gardens.
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Transplant Chinese Elm in spring or fall when soil is workable. Choose a location with full sun exposure and space trees 35 to 55 feet apart to accommodate mature width. Dig a planting hole slightly wider than the root ball and at the same depth; backfill with native soil mixed with compost if planting in poor soil. Water deeply after planting and maintain consistent moisture during the establishment year.
Prune Chinese Elm during dormancy in late winter to establish a strong branching structure and remove any crossing or weak growth. Its natural rounded crown requires minimal corrective pruning once established. Be aware that branches can break under stress from snow, ice, or wind, so consider removing branches that grow at acute angles to the main trunk or those that appear structurally weak in regions with heavy winter weather.
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“Ulmus parvifolia has been valued for centuries in its native range across East Asia, where it became established in gardens and urban settings for its hardiness and ornamental appeal. The 'Emer II' ALLEE cultivar represents modern breeding work focused on disease resistance, specifically selecting for the superior resistance to Dutch elm disease that this variety demonstrates. This development is significant because it directly addresses the catastrophic Dutch elm disease that has eliminated countless elms from North American and European landscapes, offering gardeners a viable alternative to the elm species that once dominated streetscapes.”